ISLAMABAD: Admitting a private complaint seeking disqualification of PTI chairman Imran Khan for concealing Toshakhana gifts in his statement of assets, a local court on Thursday summoned the former prime minister on Jan 9, 2023.

The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) had taken up the complaint filed by Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha in the Toshakhana reference, which was submitted by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

According to the reference, Mr Khan has “deliberately” concealed the facts by not disclosing the details of the gifts and made an “evasive and ambiguous” statement in his reply that the “gifts purchased by him during the financial year 2019-20 were further gifted by him or on his behalf to others”.

The complainant said that every member of the National Assembly is required to submit statements of assets and liabilities on or before Dec 31 each year.

ECP has sought PTI leader’s disqualification

He told the court that Mr Khan “fraudulently concealed his assets relating to Toshakhana gifts retained by him, particularly in year[s] 2018 and 2019, when he was the prime minister”.

Mr Ranjha claimed that the PTI chief had taken gifts worth Rs107 million during 2018-19 and the gifts or property taken during that period should have been included in his assets.

The judge observed, “Prima facie, the declaration of assets submitted by the respondent [Mr Khan is]…devoid of the gifts items received by him from Toshakhana and as such the declaration of assets seems incorrect and false”.

The court said the respondent had concealed the material assets by not disclosing the details of gifts in his statement of assets and liabilities.

“He has also not provided details of the gifts items…He has not annexed the details of cash and bank accounts of the sale proceeds as required,” it said.

“Apparently, the offence under Section 174 of the Elections Act, 2017 attracts against the respondent, therefore, this private complaint is admitted for regular hearing/trial.”

The court summoned Mr Khan to face trial, and adjourned the hearing till Jan 9.

The ECP in its reference has requested that “a sentence of conviction” be passed against the respondent in respect of offences committed under Sections 167 and 173 of the Elections Act, 2017 in the interest of justice. The respondent upon conviction be imprisoned for the maximum term of three years and be fined in accordance with Section 174 of the Elections Act, it said.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2022