Imran’s disqualification: LHC to hear plea tomorrow

LAHORE: A Lahore High Court two-member bench will take up a petition on Monday, seeking disqualification of Prime Minister Imran Khan as Member of the National Assembly from NA-131, Lahore, on the grounds of not being “sadiq and ameen” as required under the Articles 62 & 63 of the Constitution.

Mudassar Chaudhry of the Pakistan Justice & Democratic Party, a defeated candidate from NA-131, had challenged the election of Imran Khan accusing him of concealing mandatory details mainly about his sons and ‘daughter’ in the nomination papers. Chaudhry through his counsel Mobeenuddin Qazi submitted that under Section 60(2)(d) of Election Act, 2017, a candidate had to furnish a statement of his assets and liabilities and of his spouse and dependent children. However, he said, Imran Khan failed to disclose details of properties owned by his wife, two sons and ‘daughter’ Tyrian Jade Khan White.

The petitioner stated that the respondent had not made truthful declaration in the nomination papers as well as in affidavit to the effect that Tyrian Jade Khan White was his daughter. He said the respondent was not qualified rather disqualified under Article 62(1)(d), (e) and (f) and Article 63(1) (o) & (p) of the Constitution. He pleaded that the election of Imran Khan as returned candidate be declared as void and the nomination of the respondent was also invalid.

He further asked the court to de-notify the respondent as an MNA and declare the seat as vacant, besides issuing directions to the ECP for initiating appropriate proceedings against him. Previously, the LHC had dismissed on technical grounds a similar petition moved by defeated candidate of the same political party challenging the victory of Khan from NA-95, Mianwali.