Islamabad court summons Imran Khan in Toshakhana reference on Tuesday.
A trial court in Islamabad issued on Monday a notice to PTI chairman Imran Khan and summoned him tomorrow (November 22) in the Toshakhana Reference, in which the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had disqualified him.
The reference alleging that Imran had not shared details of the gifts he retained from the Toshaskhana and proceeds from their reported sales was filed by lawmakers from the ruling coalition in August. Last month, the ECP had concluded that the former premier had indeed made 'false statements and incorrect declarations' regarding the gifts - a ruling that prompted widespread protests by the PTI.
The watchdog's order said Imran stood disqualified under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution.
Earlier today, ECP submitted a copy of the reference in court requesting criminal proceedings be initiated against the former premier. It will be heard by Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal tomorrow.
In the reference, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, District Election Commissioner Waqas Ahmed Malik said that Imran had furnished the required documents of his assets and liabilities for the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 within the stipulated period of time.
He recalled that a reference regarding the matter was sent to the ECP by the National Assembly speaker. It stated that Imran "deliberately concealed" his assets during the years 2018 and 2019 when he was the prime minister.
Malik said that to verify these claims, the commission obtained Imran's statement of assets and liabilities from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Toshakhana record of gift items through the Cabinet Secretariat.
From the perusal of the record, it reveals that for the year 2018-2019 the gift items were purchased on the payment of Rs21,564,600 from the Toshakhana on the basis of assessed value. The total value of gift items was Rs107,943,000.
He stated that the gift items and their sale were not shown in Imran's statement of assets and liabilities submitted to the ECP, and neither was any other explanation about the sale of the gifts was provided.
Also, the district election commissioner noted, Imran had failed to add the details of the cash and bank account of the sale proceeds in the relevant Form-B sections.
The commission found that the respondent [PTI chief] had submitted false and incorrect statements and false declarations regarding his statements of assets and liabilities submitted before ECP.
He added that while deciding on Imran's...
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