Imran Khan, a former prime minister of Pakistan, is no longer allowed to run for office after being accused of illegally selling gifts from the government.
The ruling was requested by the ruling coalition, which charged Mr. Khan with failing to disclose information about gifts from foreign dignitaries and the revenues of their purported sale.
His attorneys claim they will appeal the commission’s decision to the supreme court.
Mr. Khan has already claimed that the case is motivated by politics.
Anbarasan Ethirajan of the BBC believes the election commission’s unanimous ruling is a major defeat for the former premier. Imran Khan is still incredibly well-liked.
He acknowledged last month that he had included at least four items he had received while prime minister on his income tax filings and that he had sold them.
Rolex watches, a ring, and a set of cufflinks were among the gifts.
All gifts must be disclosed by public authorities, however, those worth less than a specific amount may be kept. According to the AFP news agency, the recipient may occasionally be able to buy them back for about 50%.
In a written submission, Mr. Khan, who has denied the allegations against him, acknowledged purchasing items worth nearly $100,000 (£90,000) and later selling them for more than twice that amount. Previously, he claimed he had withheld some gifts from the public due to concerns about national security.
A member of Mr. Khan’s legal team named Faisal Chaudhry told Reuters that the ruling will be appealed since the election commission panel lacks jurisdiction over the subject.
In April of this year, Mr. Khan was removed from office after he lost a vote of no-confidence.
Before the commission’s decision, security had been substantially up in Islamabad, the nation’s capital.
Following the decision, Fawad Chaudhry, a spokesman for Khan’s party, urged followers to take to the streets to “topple this parliament.”
Mr. Khan has been a vociferous critic of the administration and the army of his country ever since he was forced from office in April.
The former leader has since made a round of furious speeches while touring the nation, asking for new elections and harshly denouncing the government and army.
The dynamic politician was chosen as prime minister in 2018, but after his term, he had disagreements with Pakistan’s powerful army. He had a majority in parliament until a number of his supporters defected.
