ISLAMABAD (National Times) – The Islamabad high Court (IHC) on Monday rejected Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan\u2019s plea to suspend the Election Commission of Pakistan\u2019s (ECP) order instantly in the Toshakhana reference and directed the ECP to provide a certified copy of the short order to the PTI chairman.<\/p>\n
On Friday, ECP disqualified the former premier in the Toshakhana reference, stating he had committed corrupt practices by making \u201cfalse statements and submitting incorrect declaration\u201d.<\/p>\n
The PTI chairman, then approached IHC, against the decision. However, the registrar had raised objections to the petition.<\/p>\n
IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the case on Monday and at the outset of the hearing, asked about the objections to the petition.<\/p>\n
He was informed by Khan\u2019s lawyer Barrister Ali Zafar that one objection was on the biometric verification and the other that a certified copy of the ECP\u2019s decision was not attached to the plea.<\/p>\n
On the second point, Zafar told the court that the ECP is yet to issue its detailed verdict, adding that they had only received two pages of the order.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is the rush in the case,\u201d asked IHC CJ at this point.<\/p>\n
Zafar told the court that his client has to contest elections in the coming days, adding that the ECP has also ordered that the PTI chief be prosecuted for corrupt practices.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Election Commission has also directed to send the matter for a trial,\u201d said Zafar.<\/p>\n
However, Justice Minallah observed that the commission has only directed that the complaint be sent for trial.<\/p>\n
On this, Zafar told the court that disqualification was a \u201cstigma\u201d that may affect the coming elections.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen there is no judgment then which order should the court suspend?\u201d asked the judge. He also directed the counsel to address the objections raised by the registrar\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
\u201cDisqualification will affect the people\u2019s minds. The short order is attached [with the petition],\u201d said Zafar.<\/p>\n
At this, the IHC CJ asked Khan\u2019s counsel whether he had a certified copy of the short order. But the court was told by the lawyer that they have applied for a certified copy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis disqualification is only as a member of the National Assembly,\u201d observed the judge. While CJ IHC also said that the PTI chairman has no restriction of contesting election, he can contest in election if he wants.<\/p>\n
However, Zafar contended that the people were not aware of this situation. He added that ECP uploaded its short order on the website but did not provide them with a certified copy.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you are not provided a copy within three days then we will hear the matter again,\u201d said the judge. He also shared that his court at times would issue short orders and release a detailed verdict later.<\/p>\n
\u201cI expect you will get the certified copy in three days,\u201d said the IHC CJ.<\/p>\n
The judge then rejected Khan\u2019s appeal of suspending the ECP order today and adjourned the case hearing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD (National Times) – The Islamabad high Court (IHC) on Monday rejected Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan\u2019s plea to suspend the Election Commission of Pakistan\u2019s (ECP) order instantly in the Toshakhana reference and directed the ECP to provide a certified copy of the short order to the PTI chairman. On Friday, ECP disqualified the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":46521,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-46514","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n