ECP dismisses disqualification case against Imran Khan, Jehangir Tareen

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan rejected the reference case filed against PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Secretary General Jehangir Tareen Thursday.

"The reference isn't worthy of being heard," noted the Chief Election Commissioner in a brief verdict.

In an earlier hearing, the Election Commission had decided to announce the verdict on March 16 (today).

The case was heard by a five-member bench led by Chief Election Commissioner Sardar Raza.

In response to ECP's verdict, member National Assembly of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Daniyal Aziz said: "PTI was able to escape from the case on technical grounds."

Referring to the PTI chief as "somersault Khan" and "allegation Khan," Aziz said that PTI was unable to face ECP's foreign funding inquiry because the party is guilty of wrongdoing.

Reference against PTI leaders filed 

References against the two PTI leaders were filed by the National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq for owning offshore accounts.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) sent notices to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders Imran Khan and Jehangir Tareen on November 2, 2016. The Chief Election Commissioner maintained that presence of Imran Khan and Jehangir Tareen was required for the hearing.

ECP hears disqualification case 

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on November 16, 2016 heard the disqualification case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, PTI Secretary General Jehangir Tareen and PM’s son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar.

The ECP gave Imran Khan, Jehangir Tareen, and Captain (retd) Safdar until November 22 to submit their replies.

The commission expressed displeasure at the absence of PML-N’s Muhammad Khan Daha, who filed a petition against Jehangir Tareen alleging that the PTI Secretary General had set up offshore companies and had been exposed in Panama Papers leak.

ECP issued notices to Daha and PML-N leader Talal Chaudhry for November 22, 2016 and postponed the case hearing.

Imran Khan's legal counsel requests for more time to submit reply 

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) heard the disqualification reference against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Imran Khan and Jehangir Tareen.

Imran Khan's lawyer Naeem Bukhari requested the ECP for more time to file his client's reply. Meanwhile, Jehangir Tareen submitted his reply.

The hearing was adjourned till December 5 for a reference sent by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.

PTI chairman submits reply to ECP 

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran submitted his reply in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on December 5, 2016 over a disqualification reference filed against him.

In 2002 it was agreed that the Bani Gala house will be sold for a sum of Rs 43.5 million, Imran Khan said in his reply.

It was decided that the house would be bought on instalments. In the first instalment, Rs 6.5 million were paid. Rest of the money was to be paid after selling the London flat, Imran Khan said in the reply.

He added that there was a risk of annulment of the contract upon a delay in the payment. Therefore, the amount was paid by Imran Khan’s first wife Jemima Khan, he said.

The reply stated that his ex-wife Jemimah Goldsmith transferred the money to Pakistan through legal channels; therefore allegations of tax evasions are baseless.

Imran Khan in his reply said that allegations that he had not declared his offshore company are also baseless.

He said that his company Niazi Services Limited had only one asset, the London flat, which was sold in 2003. The offshore company is only limited to papers and he does not have any shares in it.