Strict security in place as ECP set to announce Toshakhana case verdict

Strict security was seen in place today at the capital as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is set to announce its verdict in the Toshakhana (gift depository) reference, seeking the disqualification of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman and former premier Imran Khan on Friday. Meanwhile, the PTI leadership has directed party workers to protest should the Toshakhana case decision come against Imran Khan. Senior party leader and in-charge of the party's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa wing Pervez Khattak shared an audio message with workers, stating that "if the decision is in favour of Imran Khan, then fine; otherwise if it is against [him] then there will be a strong protest at the district level". Read Toshakhana case: ECP asks SBP for Imran’s bank accounts It may be noted that the ECP is scheduled to announce the decision today at 2 pm. The electoral watchdog has also sought "fool-proof security" ahead of the verdict. The election supervisor has also issued notices to all the parties to be present at its secretariat in Islamabad either personally or through their lawyers. Earlier today, the chief election commissioner (CEC) and provincial ECP members of all four provinces reached the commission as an important meeting was called in. The Islamabad administration, in the presence of Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon, is to brief the meeting about the security measures in place. Strict security in place In view of the fear of the arrival of PTI workers or a possible disturbance, tight security has been deployed in the entire area and especially surrounding the ECP building. Tear gas shells and other necessary equipment have also been delivered to the personnel. Furthermore, in addition to the police, FC and Rangers personnel have also been deployed for security. Security has been deployed by the Islamabad administration whereby1,500 personnel including one SSP, five SPs and six DSPs have been appointed at the premises. According to police officials, PTI workers will not be allowed to enter the ECP building and entry will be restricted to relevant persons only while entry into the Red Zone has also been restricted. Besides this, DC Islamabad also visited the ECP and reviewed the security arrangements. Toshakhana reference The ECP had reserved the verdict in the case on September 19. Toshakhana – a department under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division – stores precious gifts given to the head of states, MPs, bureaucrats and officials by heads of other governments, states and foreign dignitaries. According to Toshakhana rules, gifts and other such material received by persons to whom these rules apply shall be reported to the Cabinet Division. Read More Toshakhana: PM Shehbaz decides not to retain any foreign gifts The reference had been moved by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) against the PTI chief on August 4 for not “sharing the details” of Toshakhana gifts and proceeds from their alleged sale. Despite the Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) ordering it to do so, the PTI, while in government, had been reluctant to disclose the details of the gifts presented to Imran since he took over his office in 2018. It claimed that it would jeopardise international relations. The reference sought the disqualification of Imran from public office under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution.

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