LHC judge refuses to hear disqualification petition against PM Imran

LAHORE: A petition seeking disqualification of Prime Minister Imran Khan as member of the National Assembly was referred to the Lahore High Court (LHC) chief justice after Justice Shahid Waheed refused to hear the case.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh and Justice Shahid Waheed was hearing the petition seeking the premier’s disqualification for not being “sadiq and amen” under the Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution.

As the hearing began, Justice Waheed declined to proceed with the case after which it was referred to the LHC chief justice to fix it before another for hearing.

The Pakistan Justice and Democratic Party’s Mudassar Chaudhry had challenged the election of PM Khan from NA-131 accusing him of concealing mandatory details about his sons and alleged daughter in the nomination papers.

Under Section 60(2)(d) of Election Act, 2017, a candidate is required to submit a statement of assets and liabilities and of his spouse and dependent children, he stated. However, he added, Imran Khan failed to disclose these details, including those of “daughter” Tyrian White.

The petitioner contended that Khan is not qualified to hold office under Article 62(1)(d), (e) and (f) and Article 63 (1) (o) & (p) of the Constitution and pleaded that he be disqualified as an MNA.