After former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and PTI leader Jahangir Tareen’s disqualification on Friday, another political leader has been disqualified on the fifth day of the week (Friday).
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) while announcing the reserved verdict in the Toshakhana case, disqualified PTI chief Imran Khan under Article 63(1)(p) for making “false statements and incorrect declaration”, triggering protests in various cities.
Article 63 (1) (p) of the Constitution states that an individual is, “for the time being, disqualified from being elected or chosen as a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) or of a provincial assembly under any law for the time being in force”.
Legal experts have widely interpreted this as Imran being disqualified till the end of the current National Assembly (NA) term. As such, he has been de-seated as a member of the NA and by-polls could be held on the seat vacated following his disqualification.
The verdict against the PTI chief comes as a big blow to the party which a few days ago won big in by-polls across the country, following up on its resounding victory in the July by-elections in Punjab — both seen as indicators of public support for the ousted former premier.
Soon after the announcement of the verdict, people took to the streets in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakthunkhwa. The protestors rejected the decision of ECP against Imran Khan and chanted slogans against Pakistan’s supreme electoral body.
The reaction of the masses following the verdict shows that people of the country love and support Imran Khan and they are not ready to accept the ‘biased’ decision of the ECP. But will the people march out in his support remains to be seen.
