Protests have begun across Pakistan after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) disqualified PTI Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Toshakhana reference.
PTI supporters are staging a sit-in across the country as they protest against the ECP verdict. PTI workers have blocked Faizabad-Murree Road in Islamabad in protest. The police restored to tear-gas shelling against PTI activists when they tried to enter Islamabad via Faizabad.
In Lahore, PTI activists took out a rally on Ferozepur Road and suspended the Metro Bus Service from Gajomta to Kalma Chowk. The activists staged protests at Shahdara Chowk, and GPO Chowk on Mall Road and took out rallies in other areas of the city.
Read more: Imran Khan disqualified: PTI to challenge ECP verdict in Toshakhana case
In Peshawar, a large number of protesters gathered at the Stadium Chowk, Saddar, set tyres on fire, and chanted slogans against the ECP’s verdict against Khan.
The charged activists of the party held demonstrations in Swabi, Swat, Nowshera and other cities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
صوابی امن چوک میں پی ٹی آئی کارکنان کی کثیر تعداد میں الیکشن کمیشن کے فیصلے کے خلاف احتجاج۔ #عمران_خان_ہماری_ریڈ_لائن pic.twitter.com/HNT9LKHRSY
— PTI (@PTIofficial) October 21, 2022
Charged #PTI supporters held protest near #Peshawar motorway toll plaza following #disqualification of #ImranKhan by #ECP in #Toshakhanareference.
Peshawar motorway is said to be closed for traffic. pic.twitter.com/xCSq5ABLRP— Rehmat Mehsud (@RehmatMehsuds) October 21, 2022
روک سکو تو روک لو pic.twitter.com/YJqJUNdm1H
— Ans (@PakForeverIA) October 21, 2022
Ahead of the ECP verdict, over 1100 police officials were deployed in the Red Zone under the command of a senior superintendent of police to control the law and order situation in the area. The law enforcement agencies are also being assisted by the Punjab Rangers and the Frontier Constabulary. The troops have been provided with shells of tear gas which are being used against the protestors.
شاباش سہولتکارو https://t.co/7sO5kVitLr
— Imran Khan (@ImranRiazKhan) October 21, 2022
ECP verdict in Toshakkhana reference
In a major development, the Election Commission of Pakistan has announced the verdict in the Toshakhana reference and disqualified Imran Khan by stating that Imran Khan submitted a false affidavit and was found involved in corrupt practices.
A four-member bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja, announced the verdict at the ECP Secretariat in Islamabad. Imran Khan is also no more a member National Assembly.
Read more: 1100 police officials deployed in Islamabad ahead of verdict in Toshakhana case
PTI has completely rejected the verdict and claimed that it was announced due to political reasons. PTI leader Fawad Hussain Chaudhry slammed the ECP. Fawad Chaudry said the Election Commission’s attitude had been the worst. “We never pinned any hopes on it.”
“This is a shameful decision. They have shamed the 220-million-strong-nation,” Fawad Chaudhry said while terming the decision as an assault on the institutions of Pakistan.