Disqualification in Toshakhana reference: LHC accepts petition seeking Imran's removal as PTI chairman

Lahore: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday accepted for hearing a petition seeking removal of PTI Chairman Imran Khan as the party chief following his disqualification in the Toshakhana reference.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had disqualified the former prime minister in the reference on October 21 under Article 63(1)(p). Subsequently, on Oct 24, the ECP had de-notified him as MNA from NA-95 with “immediate effect”.

Advocate Mohammad Afaq submitted the petition while mentioning Imran, the ECP, the federation and government of Pakistan and others as respondents.

Per the petition, according to the Representation of the People Act 1976 and Political Parties Order (PPO) 2002 it was a legal and constitutional requirement for party officeholders to be qualified in accordance with Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution.

The petition said after Imran’s disqualification from the NA-95 constituency it was “just” for him to be denotified as the PTI chairman and an order should be issued to this effect.

It added that Imran did not have the right to continue holding the party chief office as it was a violation of the PPO. The petition also demanded that the ECP chairman should give orders for a new PTI chairman to be appointed.

Justice Muhammad Sajid Mehmood Sethi will preside over the hearing on Thursday (tomorrow).