Imran Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), filed a petition with the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday to contest the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) letter requesting his resignation as the party’s leader.
Following Khan’s disqualification in the Toshakhana reference, the electoral board issued a notice last month to begin the process of removing him from his position as chairman of the PTI.
Khan said in his appeal that the procedure for his dismissal as the party chairman was started following his disqualification from the NA-95 seat in the National Assembly.
The ECP allegedly submitted a “false statement,” for which the warning was issued, but it is not permitted to act as a tribunal while acting outside of its legal authority.
The appeal stated, “Calling Imran Khan incompetent is false and illegal, and the notice was served to keep him out of politics.”
The former premier asked the court to overturn the ECP’s notice while stating that it was “illegal, ultra vires the powers of ECP, contrary to the Constitution, and of no legal effect” and that the electoral body’s assumption of jurisdiction and taking of cognizance for his removal as party chairman as stated in the notice.
Khan also sought suspension of the notice and restraining orders for the ECP to stop it from proceeding in the matter till the final disposal of this plea.
