High court says Imran Khan is not restricted from contesting in future elections

After the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) verdict de-seating Imran Khan, Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) approached Islamabad High Court (IHC) to challenge the commission’s decision to disqualify him.

On Monday, the high court rejected Imran Khan’s request to suspend the ECP order instantly in the Toshakhana reference on the basis of which he had been disqualified.

However, IHC Chief Justice (CJ) Athar Minallah observed that Khan had not been barred from contesting in future elections, adding that he “won’t face any problems” to contest in the NA-45 (Kurram-I) by-election. The by-election is scheduled to be held on October 30.

Moreover, CJ said that Khan’s disqualification by the ECP is only to the extent of the seat he was notified on.

During the hearing today, Khan’s lawyer Barrister Ali Zafar said that his client had been disqualified ahead of the by-election in Kurram and a stay order is needed because the PTI chairman is contesting from the seat.

The IHC chief justice then observed, “Imran Khan is not disqualified for that election”, adding that he would not face any problems in this regard.

Justice Minallah also pointed out that the ECP’s detailed judgment is not available yet.

The chief justice observed that it is normal practice to issue a detailed judgment later.

“Wait for the [written] verdict. This is a routine matter. The Election Commission is not delaying it,” he stated.

On October 21, ECP in a consensus verdict, disqualified former Prime Minister Khan and ruled that he is no more a member of the National Assembly (NA) in Toshakhana reference.

Khan was disqualified under Article 63(1)(p) for misdeclaration.