Pakistan’s Election Commission on Friday disqualified former Prime Minister Imran Khan from participating in politics because of corruption, in a decision likely to deepen the political crisis in the country.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ruled in Islamabad that Khan had stolen some of the expensive gifts he received from other countries as prime minister and did not declare his assets as required under the electoral laws.

The commission also ordered the initiation of a criminal trial of Mr Khan. 

He was removed through a vote of no confidence by the country’s parliament in April but has since been rallying thousands of supporters.

“We don’t accept this decision. The people of Pakistan won’t accept this. I urge people to come out and throw out the rulers,” Mr Khan’s close aide Fawad Chaudhry said in Islamabad.

Asad Umer, another member of Khan’s party, said the ruling would be challenged in a court of law.

Mr Khan has two rights of appeal.

Mr Khan, once backed by the country’s powerful military, was removed and replaced by his opponents, including the party of another former premier, Nawaz Sharif after he had a fallout with some generals in 2021.

Pakistan, a nuclear power with a population of 220 million, has been ruled by generals for decades, and no elected prime minister has been able to complete a term due to the military’s behind-the-scenes role.

There are fears that Khan’s disqualification may trigger another wave of political upheaval in the country, still reeling from devastating floods and with an economy on the brink of collapse. 

(dpa/NAN)