Pakistan: Imran Khan barred from politics for five years

The erstwhile premier curate of Pakistan, Imran Khan, has been barred from holding nationalist bureau for 5 years by the country's electoral authorities.

The determination was announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan 3 days aft Mr Khan was sentenced to 3 years successful situation for corruption.

Tuesday's announcement means Mr Khan volition beryllium dismissed arsenic an MP and incapable to basal for nationalist bureau until 2028.

He maintains the charges are politically motivated.

But the Pakistani authorities has denied immoderate governmental information successful his apprehension and sentencing.

Marriyum Aurangzeb, Pakistan's curate of accusation and broadcasting, told the BBC earlier the announcement: "You person to beryllium accountable for your deeds successful law. This has thing to bash with politics. A idiosyncratic who has been proven blameworthy by the tribunal has to beryllium arrested."

Mr Khan, 70, was elected arsenic Pakistan's person successful 2018, but was ousted successful a no-confidence ballot past twelvemonth aft falling retired with the country's almighty military.

His blameworthy verdict connected Saturday was centred connected charges helium incorrectly declared details of presents from overseas dignitaries and proceeds from their alleged sale.

The gifts - reported to beryllium worthy much than 140m Pakistani rupees ($635,000; £500,000) - included Rolex watches, a ringing and a brace of cufflinks.

Local media reported that Mr Khan's disqualification from moving successful immoderate elections for 5 years was successful enactment with that blameworthy ruling.

Under Pakistani laws, a convicted idiosyncratic cannot tally for nationalist bureau for a play acceptable retired by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

His ineligible squad has challenged the blameworthy verdict and the lawsuit volition beryllium heard successful the Islamabad High Court connected Wednesday.

The erstwhile premier curate is presently being held successful a situation adjacent Islamabad.