Imran out of election race as rejection of nomination papers upheld
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan addressing party supporters from Lahore's Zaman Park on May 28, 2023. SCREENGRAB
The election tribunal upheld the rejection of former prime minister Imran Khan's nomination papers for Lahore's NA-122 and PS 89 of Mianwali, resulting in his exclusion from the upcoming general elections.
Justice Tariq Nadeem, presiding over the election tribunal at the Lahore High Court, dismissed the appeal pertaining to the rejection of PTI founder Imran Khan's papers for NA-122.
The tribunal upheld the returning officer's (RO) decision, which stated that the candidate's endorser did not belong to the constituency.
Similarly, Judge Chaudhry Abdul Aziz dismissed Imran's appeal for NA-89, supporting the RO's objections.
The tribunal noted that Imran's conviction in the Toshakhana case makes him ineligible to contest the election, emphasising that the length of the sentence is irrelevant till a sentence is in field.
Read Imran out of electoral race, for now
Following the decisions, Imran's counsel, Advocate Umair Niazi, said he intended to challenge them in the high court's in front of a larger bench.
On December 30 the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) rejected Imran's nomination papers due to his conviction in the Toshakhana case, highlighting that according to the prevailing circumstances, he remains ineligible to participate in elections as long as the conviction stands.
According to the ECP's election schedule, the tribunals are to conclude the hearing of appeals today, and publish a revised list of candidates by tomorrow.
“The withdrawal of nomination papers is scheduled for Jan 12 (Friday) and the final list of candidates will also be released on the same day,” an ECP spokesperson earlier stated.
The allocation of election symbols to the candidates was slated for Jan 13 (Saturday), and the polling would take place on Feb 8, the spokesperson added.