The verdict will be handed down at 2pm, according to ARY News. Notice have been issued to all parties in the case. The commission had earlier reserved its verdict on the case. Barrister Ali Zafar, who is representing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, in his arguments said the commission was not in a position to hear the reference since it was not a court.
The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) had reportedly filed a reference with the ECP, seeking the disqualification of the former prime minister, earlier in August. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha submitted the reference to the commission contending that Imran had not declared gifts received from the Toshakhana in his assets declaration. He argued that the PTI chief should be disqualified under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution.
Rejecting the backlash over retaining state gifts he received during stint in office, Imran was said to have commented that military men get plots in DHA but are never questioned. “A [foreign] president sent me a gift which I retained after paying 50 per cent of its price,” the former prime minister said, adding, “my gift, my choice.”
Imran Khan reportedly expressed these views during an informal meeting with a group of journalists at his Bani Gala house in Islamabad. ARY reporter Abdul Qadir quoted the former prime minister as saying that if he had planned on making money, he would have declared his house ‘camp office’. Imran has been facing flak since it emerged that he retained all gifts that were given to the State of Pakistan by foreign dignitaries.