Islamabad, Dec 20: Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister Imran Khan will contest the upcoming general elections from at least three constituencies despite conviction and incarceration, his party announced on Wednesday. On August 5, the 71-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician was convicted by a trial court in Islamabad in the Toshakahana corruption case filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan and arrested.
The verdict meant the founding chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party was disqualified from contesting elections for five years. However, days later the Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspended his three-year sentence and he remains in jail in other cases. His conviction has not been set aside so far, making him ineligible for any public office.
However, undeterred by the legal hurdles, PTI leader Ali Zafar said that Khan would contest in the February 8 general election.
Newly-appointed PTI chief Gohar Khan said that Khan would contest from the Lahore, Islamabad and Mianwali constituencies. Gohar added that Khan would be provided with his nomination papers tomorrow, vowing that “Khan sahib will contest these polls, God willing”.
Khan was disqualified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for five years from holding any public office following the Toshakhana case verdict after he was found guilty of corrupt practices under Section 167 of the Elections Act, 2017. (PTI)
