LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: Arsalan Iftikhar, the son of former chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, alleged on Friday that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan had cheated the Election Commission (ECP) as well as the nation by providing false information in his nomination papers about his children.

He said Tyrian J. Khan was a daughter of Imran Khan out of wedlock, but he had concealed this fact in his nomination papers for the general elections last year.

He also distributed among journalists copies of a declaration Imran Khan had submitted to a UK court wherein he declared Carolina as guardian of his daughter, Tyrian. The declaration was submitted on Nov 18, 2004, in response to a petition filed by Carolina seeking custody of Tyrian. It did not raise any objection to the petition.

Know more: ECP gives copy of Imran's nomination form

By not admitting Tyrian as his daughter before the ECP, the PTI chief had cheated the nation, Mr Arsalan said, adding that the fact surfaced when he obtained a certified copy of Mr Khan’s nomination papers.

He said he would also try to get a copy of Mr Khan’s B-form from the National Database and Registration Authority to know if he had mentioned Tyrian as his daughter in Nadra’s record. “Politicians are role models for young generation. If Imran Khan does not give rights to his daughter, what will he give to the daughters of this country?”

Mr Arsalan said he would move the Council of Islamic Ideology for its opinion on the matter and would file a reference against Imran Khan to take the legal fight to its logical end.

He said his father who would respond to the “serious allegations” levelled by the PTI chief against his father.

Asked if he had taken his father into confidence on the issue of Mr Khan’s daughter, Mr Arsalan said he tackled his matters on his own but since his father was also a citizen of Pakistan, he must know what was going on in the country.

He said the issue had nothing to do with PTI’s long march; it was Imran Khan who had initiated the fight and he (Arsalan) had every right to reply to the allegations levelled against him.

In Islamabad, meanwhile, Arsalan Iftikhar obtained a copy of nomination papers of the PTI chief. Informed sources told Dawn that a person named Ahsan, from a business firm established by Mr Arsalan, came to the ECP to get the copy.

The sources said the application seeking copies of the two identical references filed by then minister for parliamentary affairs Dr Sher Afgan Niazi and MQM’s parliamentary leader Dr Farooq Sattar against Imran Khan in 2007 was under process and these were likely to be delivered to Mr Arsalan or his representative next week.

Mr Arsalan is preparing to file a disqualification reference against Imran Khan for alleged concealment of parentage of a daughter – an allegation that was levelled against him in the past as well.

The decision to file reference came after Mr Khan criticised retired Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry for his alleged role in rigging in the general elections and termed the appointment of Arsalan as vice-chairman of Balochistan’s Board of Investment a gift in return for the alleged favour doled out to the PML-N in the elections.

A senior PTI leader had accused the PML-N leadership of being behind Arsalan’s move in a bid to seek Imran Khan’s disqualification.

Two PTI lawmakers have also filed an application in the ECP to obtain a copy of nomination papers of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for filing a disqualification reference against him.

Sources in the ECP said the application was under process and the PTI would also get the copy.

An official said the references were to be filed with the National Assembly speaker who, under the law, was required either to reject the plea for disqualification or refer the matter to the Election Commission within 30 days.

He said that on receiving a reference from the speaker, the ECP would hear both sides before arriving at a decision.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2014