LAHORE: A Lahore High Court judge on Monday recused himself from hearing a petition seeking disqualification of Prime Minister Imran Khan as member of the National Assembly from NA-131 (Lahore) on the ground of not being “sadiq and ameen” as required under Articles 62 & 63 of the Constitution.

A two-judge LHC bench comprising Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh and Justice Shahid Waheed took up the petition moved by Mudassar Chaudhry of the Pakistan Justice & Democratic Party, a defeated candidate from the NA-131 constituency.

However, Justice Waheed recused himself from the case, saying he had already decided an identical petition. At this, Justice Sheikh referred the matter to the chief justice for the constitution of a new bench.

Mudassar Chaudhry, through his counsel, submitted that under Section 60(2)(d) of the Elections Act, 2017, a candidate had to furnish a statement of his assets and liabilities and of his spouse and dependent children. However, he said, Mr Khan failed to disclose details of properties owned by his wife, two sons and ‘daughter’ Tyrian Jade Khan White.

The petitioner stated that the respondent had not made truthful declaration in nomination papers as well as in affidavit to the effect that Tyrian Jade Khan White was his daughter.

Therefore, he said, the respondent was not qualified rather disqualified under Article 62(1)(d), (e) and (f) and Article 63(1) (o) & (p) of the Constitution. He pleaded that the election of Imran Khan as returned candidate as well as his nomination be declared void and invalid.

He also asked the court to de-notify the respondent as an MNA and declare the seat vacant, besides issuing directives for the ECP to initiate appropriate proceedings against Mr Khan.

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.