LHC bars ECP from removing Imran as PTI chief

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday prevented the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) from removing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan as the party’s chairperson.

The move comes a day after the deposed premier filed a petition in the high court against the electoral watchdog’s case. LHC judge Justice Jawad Hassan heard Imran’s plea and barred the commission from removing the ex-premier from his chairmanship. 

Additionally, the court sought a response from the ECP regarding its proceedings.

Yesterday, the PTI chief moved the LHC against the ECP measures to strip him from his position as party chairperson following his disqualification in the Toshakhana reference.

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In his petition filed before the high court, the former premier maintained that the electoral watchdog was exceeding its powers by trying to remove him as PTI chairperson. It furthered that the ECP had issued the notice “illegally”.

According to the petition, the commission started its "illegal proceedings" against Imran, however, the PTI leader had revealed his full assets before the ECP.

It requested the LHC to suspend the notice sent by the ECP to Imran as well as stop the electoral watchdog from taking further action before the final verdict.