ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday accused the electoral body of colluding with the government to disqualify it in hiding assets in the Toshakhana case and swore to continue to fight against the “thieves”.
The Pakistan Election Commission (ECP) in its unanimous verdict said Khan was involved in concealing proceeds from the sale of gifts he purchased at the Toshakhana at a reduced rate.
Khan released a recorded message after chairing two consecutive meetings of his Pakistani Tehreek-i-Insaf party at his residence in Banigala on the outskirts of Islamabad following his disqualification.
The cornered former prime minister said he knew the ECP was going to target him because he had already lost his neutrality after its leader Sikandar Sultan Raja became the mouthpiece of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.
“The whole nation has taken to the streets against the illegal decision of the ECP,” he said and announced to challenge the verdict in the high court of Islamabad.
He thanked his supporters for organizing protests against a highly partisan decision. He also lambasted Chief Electoral Commissioner Raja, accusing him of making decisions against the PTI over the past two and a half years.
He argued that Raja failed to act on various PTI complaints, including blocking legislation on the use of electronic voting machines in elections.
“I knew in advance that he (Raja) would disqualify me; I have already sent a message to my party leaders about this,” Khan said.
He pledged to continue to fight against the “thieves” including the head of the ECP.
Khan also told his protesters to wrap up protests across the country and wait for his call for a big protest march which he said would be historic.
“I will call you and it will be the biggest protest in the country that will continue until we get real freedom,” he said.
The Pakistan Election Commission (ECP) in its unanimous verdict said Khan was involved in concealing proceeds from the sale of gifts he purchased at the Toshakhana at a reduced rate.
Khan released a recorded message after chairing two consecutive meetings of his Pakistani Tehreek-i-Insaf party at his residence in Banigala on the outskirts of Islamabad following his disqualification.
The cornered former prime minister said he knew the ECP was going to target him because he had already lost his neutrality after its leader Sikandar Sultan Raja became the mouthpiece of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.
“The whole nation has taken to the streets against the illegal decision of the ECP,” he said and announced to challenge the verdict in the high court of Islamabad.
He thanked his supporters for organizing protests against a highly partisan decision. He also lambasted Chief Electoral Commissioner Raja, accusing him of making decisions against the PTI over the past two and a half years.
He argued that Raja failed to act on various PTI complaints, including blocking legislation on the use of electronic voting machines in elections.
“I knew in advance that he (Raja) would disqualify me; I have already sent a message to my party leaders about this,” Khan said.
He pledged to continue to fight against the “thieves” including the head of the ECP.
Khan also told his protesters to wrap up protests across the country and wait for his call for a big protest march which he said would be historic.
“I will call you and it will be the biggest protest in the country that will continue until we get real freedom,” he said.
