Protests erupt as Imran Khan barred from office
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was barred from holding public office on Friday after the top election tribunal found him guilty of unlawfully selling gifts from foreign dignitaries and heads of state, a lawyer and a minister said.
The ruling adds to the political and economic uncertainty plaguing Pakistan since earlier this year when Khan was ousted from power, and supporters took to the streets in different cities in protest, blocking roads and highways and setting tyres on fire.
The 70-year-old cricketer-turnedpolitician was accused of misusing his 2018 to 2022 premiership to buy and sell gifts in state possession that were received during visits abroad and worth more than 140 million Pakistani rupees ($635,000).
The gifts included watches given by a royal family, according to government officials, who have alleged previously that Khan’s aides sold them in Dubai.
According to a list shared by Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, the gifts include seven wrist watches, six made by watchmaker Rolex, and the most expensive a “Master Graff limited edition” valued at 85 million Pakistani rupees ($385,000).
The list also contained perfumes, diamond jewellery and dinner sets.
Khan later on Friday denied any wrongdoing and termed the decision “biased“, adding he had legally purchased the items. He called on supporters to stop protests, saying he would challenge the ruling in court and it would likely be overturned.
The tribunal, the Election Commission of Pakistan, is yet to officially release a ruling providing details such as how long the former premier would be barred from public office. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar told a conference on Friday that Khan would be disqualified for five years.
Since being removed from office, Khan has held protest gatherings across the country calling for snap elections, but the government has said they will be held as scheduled in October or November next year.