The Election Commission of Pakistan on Friday disqualified the former cricketer-turned-politician former MP after he was found guilty of hiding his assets.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in gestures during the press conference.
A Pakistani court has rejected former prime minister Imran Khan's request to immediately suspend his decision to disqualify him as an MLA after the Election Commission found him guilty of hiding his assets. .
Local media reported that the Chief Justice of the High Court of Islamabad, Athar Minallah, gave the former cricket star three days to resubmit his appeal and then suspend the order.
Geo television channel said that the judge, who wants Khan to file an appeal with full documents, said there was no need to suspend the order immediately as his disqualification covers the current term in Parliament and it will allow him to go ahead with the future. Doesn't stop him from contesting elections.
Khan's party spokesman Fawad Chaudhry said earlier over the phone that the commission had not publicly released its full decision since Friday's decision, creating confusion over the duration of the disqualification.
Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar had said that Khan would be disqualified from participating in elections for five years, while Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party said the disqualification included his current parliament seat.
Growing legal challenges against Khan add to more political uncertainty in a country battling dwindling foreign exchange reserves, widespread floods and high inflation. Khan, however, is going ahead with plans to call a protest march in Islamabad later this week as he seeks to pressure Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to hold premature elections.
A five-member panel of the Election Commission on Friday issued a brief order that Khan committed "corrupt conduct" by not disclosing the money earned from selling gifts from various foreign dignitaries. Pakistani law does not prevent lawmakers from selling such gifts but it is illegal to hide these transactions.
Tarar had last week said that the government may file a criminal case against Khan for making false statements to the Election Commission. Conviction in a criminal case carries a prison sentence and can prevent Khan from participating in politics or holding any public office.
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