Imran Khan: Former Pakistan PM barred from running for office for five yearson October 21, 2022 at 11:44 am

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

The former cricketer is disqualified following what he says is a politically motivated case.

Imran Khan, former Prime Minister and head of the opposition political party Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf, addresses supporters during a by-election campaign for a seat of National Assembly in Karachi, Pakistan, on 14 October 2022Image source, EPA

Pakistan’s election commission has barred former Prime Minister Imran Khan from holding public office on charges of unlawfully selling state gifts.

The governing coalition had sought the ruling, accusing Mr Khan of not sharing details of presents from foreign dignitaries and proceeds from their alleged sale.

His lawyers say they will challenge the commission’s verdict in the high court.

Mr Khan has previously said the case is politically motivated.

The unanimous decision by a five-member panel of the election commission is a huge setback for the former premier, says the BBC’s Anbarasan Ethirajan. Imran Khan remains hugely popular.

He admitted last month to having sold at least four gifts he had received during his tenure as prime minister, and that they had been included in his income tax returns.

The gifts included Rolex watches, a ring and a pair of cuff links.

Government officials must declare all gifts, but are allowed to keep those below a certain value. In some cases, the recipient can buy them back at around 50%, AFP news agency reports.

Mr Khan – who has denied the charges against him – previously said he had not made public some gifts on national security grounds, but in a written submission admitted buying items worth nearly $100,000 (£90,000), and later selling them for more than twice that amount, AFP says.

Faisal Chaudhry, a lawyer in Mr Khan’s team, has told Reuters news agency the election commission tribunal has no jurisdiction in the matter and that the decision will be challenged.

Security had been stepped up in the capital, Islamabad, ahead of the commission’s ruling.

After the ruling, Khan’s party spokesman Fawad Chaudhry called for supporters to come out on the streets to “topple this parliament”.

Since being ousted from power in April, Mr Khan has been a vocal critic of the government and the country’s army.

Since then, the former leader has toured the country to deliver a series of fiery speeches calling for fresh elections and fiercely criticising both the government and the army.

The charismatic politician was elected prime minister in 2018, but fell out with Pakistan’s powerful army towards the end of his tenure. After a series of defections, he lost his majority in parliament.

This video can not be played

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Fulham 7-0 Luton Town: Fulham clinch Championship title with emphatic Luton victoryon May 2, 2022 at 6:41 pm

Promoted Fulham clinch the Championship title in style in front of an emphatic Craven Cottage crowd with a 7-0 win over Luton Town.Tom Cairney...

Strabane: Large fire has broken out at coffin makerson July 4, 2021 at 9:23 pm

Eighty firefighters and 14 appliances tackled the fire at Railway Street in Strabane.image copyrightDANIEL MCCROSSANFirefighters remain at the scene of a large fire at...

Australian Open: Players can compete if they have Covid-19on January 9, 2023 at 7:26 am

Players at the Australian Open will not need to take Covid-19 tests and could play if they have the virus.Players at the Australian Open...

World breaches 1.5C warming threshold for full yearon February 8, 2024 at 10:18 am

The last 12 months were the hottest on record, temporarily sending the world past a deeply symbolic mark.Image source, Getty ImagesBy Mark PoyntingBBC News...

In pictures: Fans celebrate historic England winon July 31, 2022 at 7:01 pm

Trafalgar Square roared with celebrations as England's lionesses claim an historic win.Trafalgar Square roared with celebrations as England's lionesses claim an historic win.