Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan and leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has been disqualified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for a period of five years following his conviction in the Toshakhana case.
The ECP, responsible for overseeing elections and ensuring their fairness, issued a notice on Tuesday stating that Imran Khan had been found guilty of corrupt practices under Section 167 of the Elections Act, 2017, and had been sentenced to three years in prison. As a result, he has been disqualified under Article 63(1)(h) of the Pakistani Constitution, in conjunction with Section 232 of the Elections Act, 2017.
This decision follows Imran Khan’s sentencing on August 5, 2023, by Additional District and Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar, who found him guilty of corruption in the Toshakhana case. The case centered around Khan’s misuse of his position as Prime Minister to profit from the sale of state gifts worth over Rs140 million ($490,000) that he had received from foreign dignitaries during his trips abroad.
The ruling also led to Imran Khan being removed from his position as the “returned candidate” from the NA-45 Kurram-I constituency. Consequently, he has been relocated to Attock Jail to serve his three-year prison term.
Imran Khan’s legal team, led by Naeem Haider Panjotha, has voiced concerns over his treatment in Attock Jail, alleging poor conditions and requesting an upgrade to A-class facilities. They have filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking improved conditions and a transfer to Adiala Jail.
In response to the conviction, Imran Khan and his party have taken legal action to challenge the verdict. A petition has been filed in the IHC to declare the judgement “illegal” and overturn the conviction.
The Toshakhana case revolves around allegations that government officials, including Imran Khan, misused their authority to acquire valuable gifts at low prices and subsequently profited by selling them on the open market. The Toshakhana, or “treasure house,” rules dictate that officials may retain low-value gifts but must pay a reduced fee to the government for more extravagant items.
Read more: Toshakhana case: Imran Khan sentenced to 3 years in prison, disqualified for 5 years
In Imran Khan’s case, it was claimed that he acquired and sold valuable gifts during his tenure as Prime Minister between 2018 and 2022. The gifts, including expensive watches, were alleged to have been sold for significant profits. Among the items mentioned were wristwatches, some made by renowned watchmaker Rolex, with the most expensive valued at 85 million Pakistani rupees ($385,000).
The Toshakhana case came under scrutiny after allegations surfaced that Imran Khan and his associates had purchased gifts received during official visits and sold them for substantial gains. The matter was brought to the attention of the Election Commission by National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf.
Read more: PTI Vows to Challenge Imran Khan’s Conviction in Toshakhana Case After Arrest
In October 2022, the Election Commission found Imran Khan guilty of corrupt practices and initiated legal proceedings. The recent disqualification serves as a significant development in this ongoing legal saga. A hearing on Imran Khan’s appeal against the conviction is scheduled to take place in the Islamabad High Court, led by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri.
