ECP will announce verdict in Toshakhana disqualification reference against Imran Khan tomorrow

Islamabad: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will announce the verdict in the Toshakhana disqualification reference filed against former prime minister Imran Khan on Friday (tomorrow) at 2pm.

The ECP has ordered all the relevant parties or their counsels to appear before the electoral watchdog at its secretariat in Islamabad, a notice issued today said. The electoral watchdog had reserved its verdict in the case on September 19.

The coalition government had filed a reference against the PTI chairman for “not sharing details” of Toshakhana gifts and proceeds from their alleged sale.

Four parliamentrains Barrister Mohsin Nawaz Ranjha carrying signatures of lawmakers Agha Hassan Baloch, Salahudeen Ayubi, Ali Gohar Khan, Syed Rafiullah Agha and Saad Waseem Sheikh -- who belong to the Pakistan Democratic Movement -- had filed a reference for the PTI chief’s disqualification from public office under articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution over his hesitance to share the details of Toshakhana gifts.

In their disqualification reference, MNAs from the ruling alliance included documentary evidence to corroborate their claims against the ex-premier

They submitted the reference to the National Assembly speaker who subsequently forwarded it to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja for further action. 

In its hearing on Aug 29, the ECP had sought a written reply from Imran by Sep 8. In his reply, the PTI chief had admitted to having sold at least four presents he had received during his tenure as the prime minister of Pakistan.

The former prime minister, in his reply, maintained that the sale of the gifts that he had procured from the state treasury after paying Rs21.56 million fetched about Rs58m.

One of the gifts included a graff wristwatch, a pair of cuff links, an expensive pen and a ring while the other three gifts included four Rolex watches.