By On Tuesday, Pakistan’s election commission ruled to disqualify Imran Khan from holding any public office for five years. This decision comes shortly after Khan’s arrest on corruption charges and marks a significant setback for the former prime minister.
While Khan staunchly denies the allegations against him, the election commission cited his recent conviction and subsequent three-year jail sentence for concealing assets acquired from the sale of state gifts during his time in office. Consequently, Khan will no longer retain his seat in Parliament.
This development comes amidst anticipation of the dissolution of Pakistan’s Parliament by the government, a move that would pave the way for upcoming national elections. However, the timing and scheduling of these elections remain uncertain.
Khan’s legal team has already taken action, filing an appeal to challenge the guilty verdict. The Islamabad High Court is set to review the case on Wednesday, according to Khan’s lawyer, Naeem Panjutha.
In contrast to Khan’s previous arrest, the response this time has been notably different, with reduced public outcry and minimal social media uproar. The arrests of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party members following his initial arrest, along with the implementation of stringent laws by the coalition government, have reportedly dampened the enthusiasm of Pakistani citizens.
Khan’s arrest occurred in Lahore following the court’s ruling on Saturday, and he was subsequently transferred to a prison near the capital, Islamabad. The government has denied any political motivation behind Khan’s arrest, asserting that it is not an attempt to hinder his participation in upcoming elections.
By Pakistani law, individuals with convictions are barred from seeking public office for a specified duration as determined by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). This period could potentially extend up to five years from the date of conviction.
Zulfikar Bukhari, an aide to Khan, expressed the party’s intention to challenge the disqualification in the high court, stating their confidence in the reversal of the decision.
Khan’s legal troubles have intensified since his removal from office via a vote of no-confidence the previous year. This ongoing political turmoil raises concerns about Pakistan’s stability, particularly in the face of existing economic challenges.
