Disqualification reference: ECP summons Imran, Tareen on dharna day

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday summoned the Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan to appear before the ECP bench on November 2 with regard to the disqualification reference against him.

The ECP has fixed the date, which coincides with the PTI’s plan to lock down the federal capital the same day to force the prime minister to either resign or present himself for accountability in connection with the PanamaLeaks.

The notice has been served served on Imran on a reference sent to the ECP by the NA Speaker in early September. Imran should appear himself or through his lawyer. Otherwise, the notice said, a decision would be announced ex-parte.

The ECP has explained in the notice that since a decision has been taken regarding the reference within three months, therefore, Imran should either himself appear for hearing or his lawyer should represent him before the five-member commission bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Sardar Muhammad Raza.

The ruling coalition has alleged in the reference that Imran not only misinformed the ECP in his annual statement of assets, but also did not make mention of his assets abroad and also his offshore company, which he owned for 30 years.

PTI chairman claims to have hidden nothing from the ECP or misleading in his statement of assets and liabilities submitted to the ECP. The ECP has sent a notice to PTI’s Secretary General Jehangir Tareen for allegedly evading agriculture tax and getting written off loans from various banks. He denies having done so. Tareen has also been asked to appear before the ECP on November 2