The Election Commission has summoned PTI chairman Imran Khan in the disqualification case on Jan 11, it emerged on Friday.
The notice was sent to the ex-PM’s Bani Gala residence, wherein his response on heading his party, PTI, has been sought.
The top electoral authority made it clear in its notice that Imran was disqualified from the constituency NA-95 for misdeclaration of assets, saying no disqualified individual can chair a political party.
On 21 October 2022, a five-member bench headed by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja disqualified the PTI chief in the Toshakhana reference. Additionally, it said, criminal proceedings will be initiated against Imran Khan for misdeclaration.
After the decision was announced, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry termed it a ‘slap on the face of the 220 million people of Pakistan’. “Just a week ago Imran Khan won two thirds majority in the Punjab by-elections; who are you to make this decision?” he had asked.
On the other hand, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz said Pakistan’s ‘first certified liar and thief’ was disqualified with irrefutable evidence. “As big as the theft is, the punishment should not end only with disqualification,” she added.
The reference against the former prime minister was filed by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) in August of the same year. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha had submitted the reference to the commission contending that Imran had not declared gifts received from the Toshakhana in his assets declaration, and should be disqualified under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution.
