Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah observed on Monday that PTI Chairman Imran Khan had not been barred from contesting in future elections following the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) verdict in the Toshakhana reference against him, adding that the former premier \u201cwon\u2019t face any problems\u201d to contest in the NA-45 (Kurram-I) by-election scheduled to be held on Oct 30.<\/p>\n
His observation came during a hearing on Imran\u2019s petition challenging the ECP decision to disqualify him over what the electoral watchdog said was his failure to properly account for monetary proceeds from the sale of Toshakhana gifts while he was the prime minister.<\/p>\n
At the outset of the hearing, Imran\u2019s lawyer, Barrister Ali Zafar, urged the court to start hearing the petition despite administrative objections by the registrar.<\/p>\n
When Justice Minallah questioned what the hurry was, Zafar replied that his client had been disqualified ahead of the by-election in Kurram.<\/p>\n
The IHC chief justice observed, \u201cImran Khan is not disqualified for that election.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere should be one standard for all. There is no need to rush in this case.\u201d<\/p>\n
The court would hear the petition once the objections were removed, the judge said.<\/p>\n
When Zafar requested the court to issue a stay order on the verdict, Justice Minallah pointed out that the ECP\u2019s detailed judgement was not available yet.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhich verdict should the court stay?\u201d he asked. \u201cImran does not want to return to the same seat he was disqualified from, does he?\u201d<\/p>\n
Zafar argued that the stay was needed because the PTI chairman was contesting in an upcoming by-election. However, Justice Minallah said Imran would not face any problems in this regard.<\/p>\n
When the counsel argued that the public would not understand the matter, Justice Minallah replied that it was not the court\u2019s job to explain to the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis has not happened previously. The court cannot set such an example,\u201d the judge remarked.<\/p>\n
Zafar then said the ECP\u2019s decision was also unprecedented. However, the IHC chief justice observed that it was normal practice to issue a detailed judgement later.<\/p>\n
The court expected a copy of the judgement to be released within three days, Justice Minallah said, adding that if it did not happen, then the court would look into the matter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe court issued directives to implement [its verdict] the same day in connection with a case related to inmates. The court should issue directives to the ECP to submit the verdict today in our case as well,\u201d Zafar contended.<\/p>\n
At this, the judge noted that in the case Zafar referred to, the inmates were being tortured which was why urgent directives were needed.<\/p>\n
The PTI counsel said the present case was related to a democratic issue and the ECP could \u201cchange the verdict\u201d.<\/p>\n
Justice Minallah, however, remained firm, observing that the court would have listened to the petition if there was any reason to rush.<\/p>\n
Zafar argued that the ECP had \u201cchanged its verdict\u201d in the prohibited funding case against the PTI. \u201cThis case has become a black mark against Imran Khan. He does not want to contest the election with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMany [people] have been disqualified before this case. Did it affect their politics? This court does not issue directives to any constitutional body. We are giving a week\u2019s time. If the verdict\u2019s copy is not received, we will see [then],\u201d Justice Minallah said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWait for the [written] verdict. This is a routine matter. The Election Commission is not delaying it,\u201d he observed.<\/p>\n
Zafar then told the court that the ECP had also directed to initiate legal proceedings against Imran to which the judge replied that the sessions court would hear that matter.<\/p>\n
Subsequently, the court directed the PTI counsel to remove the objections on the petition within three days.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah observed on Monday that PTI Chairman Imran Khan had not been barred from contesting in future elections following the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) verdict in the Toshakhana reference against him, adding that the former premier \u201cwon\u2019t face any problems\u201d to contest in the NA-45 (Kurram-I) by-election […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":262369,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[289,10820,2833],"class_list":{"0":"post-291239","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national","8":"tag-athar-minallah","9":"tag-ihc-chief-justice","10":"tag-imran-khan"},"yoast_head":"\n