On Saturday, election officials in Pakistan dismissed the candidacy of former Prime Minister Imran Khan for the upcoming February parliamentary election, citing his existing three-year prison sentence for corruption and additional charges. Despite facing legal challenges, Khan submitted nomination papers, encouraged by a previous court decision that temporarily suspended his criminal conviction. The Election Commission rejected his candidacy, pointing to both his criminal conviction and constitutional disqualification, along with dismissing the candidacy of former members of his Cabinet. This development dealt a further setback to Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, which has been a target of authorities in an extended crackdown.
Imran Khan, a 71-year-old former cricketer and a prominent opposition figure, has faced legal battles since his ousting from office in April 2022 through a parliamentary no-confidence vote. His lawyers, expressing discontent, plan to appeal the decision, alleging bias on the part of the Election Commission and blaming “invisible forces” for Khan’s disqualification. Emphasizing the need for transparent elections, the legal representatives contend that deliberate actions are being taken to evade the electoral process, reflecting a broader atmosphere of apprehension among those in power.
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