Imran seeks early hearing of disqualification plea

Contended that legal challenges prevented him from assuming role of PTI chairman, participating in elections

ISLAMABAD:

Incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan filed a petition in the Supreme Court on Monday to expedite the hearing of an appeal regarding his disqualification by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in the Toshakhana case.

Barrister Ali Zafar, the lawyer representing the PTI founder, submitted a request for an early hearing of the appeal against the former premier’s disqualification.

The application argues that the petitioner, a former prime minister and leader of the largest political party (PTI), faces ongoing challenges to his role as party chief following a disqualification by the electoral watchdog. The petition added that cases challenging the ECP’s decisions were currently pending in Islamabad and Lahore High Courts, with proceedings stalled due to a related case in the Supreme Court.

The petitioner contended that these legal challenges prevented him from assuming the role of PTI chairman, member of the assembly, and also hinder his participation in by-elections due to the pending appeal.

In December last year, Imran challenged in the LHC the ECP’s ruling of disqualifying him for five years for not declaring Toshakhana gifts in his statement of assets and liabilities.