Imran Khan will contest elections from three constituencies: PTI

• IHC would announce Toshakhana verdict soon, hopes Senator Zafar.
• PTI calls upon workers to submit their nomination papers.
• PTI chief Barrister Gohar says they don't want CEC to resign.

Incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan will contest elections from at least three constituencies in the general elections scheduled for February 8 next year, his party announced on Wednesday.

Speaking to media outside the Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, PTI Senator Ali Zafar said the Islamabad High Court (IHC) would announce its Toshakhana reserved verdict soon as the election schedule has already been announced.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) disqualified former premier Imran for five years from holding any public office following the Toshakhana case verdict on August 8 after he was found guilty of “corrupt practices under Section 167 of the Elections Act, 2017”.

“We want to inform you that Imran Khan will contest elections from at least three constituencies and we hope that the IHC will announce its judgment soon in the Toshakhana case, as the election schedule has been issued," he added.

He said the IHC would also rule on PTI’s appeal that sought suspension of the former PM’s conviction in the Toshkhana case.

The PTI senator also called upon workers to submit their nomination papers for the upcoming polls, saying the party would prioritise the jailed members for tickets to contest the elections.

“Those [workers] who rendered sacrifices for the party, facing cases and braving difficulties will be allotted [party] tickets 100%,” the PTI senator said.

Speaking on the occasion, PTI chief Barrister Gohar said Imran will contest polls from the Lahore, Islamabad and Mianwali constituencies.

He also opposed the top lawyers’ bodies' demand seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja, saying his party did not make any such demand.

The PTI chairman said the final decision regarding ticket allocation will be made by the incarcerated party founder.

He also alleged that hurdles were being created for their candidates to contest the elections.

“The nomination papers were snatched from Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s secretary in Adiala jail,” he claimed, warning that barring their candidates from contesting polls could disturb the law and order situation.

He also urged the election commission and Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa to ensure free and fair polls in the country.