Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai) - Live
Pakistan’s ex-PM barred from office, huge protests break out
The EC’s ruling came as a major blow for the cricketer-turnedpolitician, who was ousted from the post of prime minister in a no-confidence vote
NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s Election Commission (EC) on Friday barred former premier Imran Khan from holding public office after finding him guilty of illegally selling gifts from foreign dignitaries and heads of state, sparking protests by his supporters in several cities.
The election tribunal’s ruling came as a major blow for the 70-year-old cricketer-turnedpolitician, who was ousted from the post of prime minister in a no-confidence vote in April.
It followed his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party’s victory in by-elections on Sunday, with Khan himself winning in six parliamentary seats, and impressive wins in bypolls in the politically crucial Punjab province in July.
The four-member tribunal declared the seat originally held by Khan in the National Assembly or lower house of parliament as vacant and ordered the initiation of criminal proceedings against him for submitting false statements and an incorrect declaration in a statement of assets and liabilities provided to the Election Commission.
Khan was accused of misusing his position during his 20182022 premiership to buy and sell gifts received during visits abroad that were in the “toshakhana” (official gift depository) and worth more than Pakistani Rs 140 million ($635,000). The gifts included watches given by a royal family and officials alleged that Khan’s aides sold them in Dubai.
The tribunal’s ruling said Khan had committed the “offence of corrupt practices” by making “false statements and incorrect declaration” and this was punishable under the provisions of the Elections Act of 2017. “The office is directed to initiate legal proceedings and to take follow-up action under...the Elections Act, 2017,” the ruling said.
The Election Commission said Khan was disqualified under Article 63(1)(p) of Pakistan’s Constitution, and legal experts said the ruling meant that he would also cease to be chairman of the PTI because of an earlier judgment by the Supreme Court.
In February 2018, the apex court had ruled that an individual disqualified under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution cannot serve as the head of a political party.
Khan has denied the charges levelled against him and his lawyer Gohar Khan said the ruling will be challenged in the Islamabad high court.
The Pakistani media reported there were protests by Khan’s supporters in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi.
Footage beamed on Dawn News channels showed protesters setting tyres on fire in Peshawar, while police used tear gas to try and control the protesters in Islamabad.