ECP’s Toshakhana reference verdict shatters ‘idol of truthfulness, honesty’: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said the Election Commission’s on Toshakhana Reference, had shattered the ‘idol of honesty and truthfulness’ — PTI Chief Imran Khan.

The prime minister’s formal response came after the Election Commission of Pakistan disqualified PTI Chief Imran Khan in the Toshakhana reference under Article 63(1)(p) over ‘false statements and incorrect declaration’.

The prime minister, in a tweet, said the Commission had served justice in the case. “The nation has witnessed that Imran Khan made personal earning using the office of the Prime Minister.”

“The idol of truthfulness and honesty stands shattered,” he wrote on Twitter. He urged the PTI Chief to surrender before the law, instead of fighting against law”. Imran Khan should avoid the use of bullets and batons besides bringing the rioters, he added. “No one is above the law,” he remarked.

Imran’s disqualification to usher in national prosperity: Marriyum

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Friday said the disqualification of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana reference would usher in the national prosperity and development.

“The country will now prosper as the ‘powerful foreign funded Fitna’ has been finally made subservient to the law,” she said in a news statement while reacting to the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision in the Toshakhana reference.

She said Imran Khan would have to go to the jail as the disqualification was not the only legal action he would face for his wrongdoings.

Marriyum said Imran Khan should realize that his disqualification would not be reversed by attacking the Election Commission.

She said the “foreign funded Fitna” had not deposited even a single gift to the Toshakhana since 2019, and failed to produce record in that regard before the ECP which was bound to disqualify him in accordance with the law.

Fazal congratulates nation on closure of Imran Khan’s political chapter

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman Friday congratulated the nation on the closure of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan’s political chapter as he had been disqualified on the charges of misdeclaration in the Toshakhana case by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Talking to media persons after the ECP’s verdict against the PTI chief, he observed Imran Khan was an unnecessary element of the country’s politics and he was installed in the politics by the external forces.

He said Imran Khan was not a reliable person as he kept on changing his statements time and again.

“Imran Khan calls other people thieves but he himself has looted money from all over the world including America, Israel, and India. Today, his theft has been captured and Pakistan will get rid of such elements in the future,” he added.

Fazal categorically warned the elements backing Imran Khan in a bid to create anarchy in the country to be dealt with an iron hand.

Khaqan Abbasi says party does not support politician’s ‘disqualification’

Commenting on the possible disqualification of former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in the Toshakhana case, senior PML-N leader and also a former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said on Friday that his party did not want to see any politician disqualified.

Talking to the media outside an accountability court (AC) in Karachi where he had gone in connection with the hearing of the reference filed against him for allegedly making illegal recruitments in the Pakistan State Oil (PSO), Abbasi said what the PML-N wanted was a competition on the ground.

However, at the same time, he asserted that everybody should be equal in the eyes of the law.

Commenting on reports of PTI chairman’s backdoor contacts with the ‘establishment’, he opined that such contacts always proved detrimental for the country.

PML-N leader said that the appointment of army chief was a routine matter.

Earlier, the AC adjourned hearing of the case until November 25, 2022 due to the absence of the judge.

ECP verdict within ambit of constitutional jurisdiction

Awami National Party (ANP) President Asfandyar Wali Khan on Friday termed the ECP verdict within ambit of constitutional jurisdiction to disqualify PTI Chairman Imran Khan in Toshakhana case.

In a statement, he said that the constitution gives the right to appeal and take legal action if decision is not acceptable.

He said that PTI can also approach courts against the ECP decision if it has any objection. He said it was not justice just welcome decisions in your favor and protest if it goes against you.

Asfandyar Khan said the country cannot afford more crisis in present situation. He said first prerequisite of politics was maintaining politeness and patience which should be upheld under any circumstances.

 

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