Former Pakistan PM Khan barred from elections for 5 years

Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan was disqualified Friday from running for political office for five years, his lawyer said, after the country's election commission ruled he misled officials about gifts he received while in power.

"The ECP (Election Commission of Pakistan) has declared Imran Khan was involved in corrupt practices," said Gohar Khan, adding: "We are going to challenge it in the Islamabad high court right now."

Pakistan's courts are often used to tie up lawmakers in lengthy proceedings that rights monitors criticise for stifling political opposition, but the commission's involvement in this case stems from the obligation of elected officials to declare all their assets.

"In our opinion the Election Commission of Pakistan is not a court, therefore they can't give a declaration to disqualify anyone," PTI senator Syed Ali Zafar, a barrister representing Khan, told a press conference Friday ahead of the ruling.

The case centres on a government department known as "Toshakhana", which during the Mughal era referred to the "treasure houses" kept by the sub-continent's princely rulers to store and display gifts lavished on them.

Government officials must declare all gifts, but are allowed to keep those below a certain value.

More expensive items must go to Toshakhana, but in some cases the recipient can buy them back at around 50 percent of their value -- a discount Khan raised from 20 percent while in office.

Pakistan newspapers have for months carried lurid stories alleging Khan and his wife received lavish gifts worth millions during trips abroad.

They included luxury watches, jewellery, designer handbags and perfumes.
Khan is accused of failing to declare some gifts or the profit made from selling them.

Agence-France Presse