ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Thursday said that former foreign minister Khawaja Asif degraded the sanctity of the vote by opting for an Iqama.
He gave the remarks in relation to the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) Thursday announcement of its verdict over the petition seeking Asif’s disqualification for holding an Iqama of United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The petition was filed by PTI leader Usman Dar who contested and lost the 2013 general elections against Asif in NA-110 Sialkot.
Khan said that petition seeking disqualification of the foreign minister is not personal, rather it is for the future of the country.
He gave the comments after a meeting with Usman Dar, during which both discussed different aspects of the ongoing case.
Earlier in the day, Dar told media that they are satisfied as they submitted undeniable proofs against Asif in the court.
“Khawaja Asif himself admitted to having an Iqama and misdeclaration of his bank accounts in his election nomination papers,” Dar said, adding the ministers have taken an oath of allegiance with UAE.
Meanwhile, PTI leader Babar Awan said that lower courts are bound to rule according to the Supreme Court’s decision on Iqama issue, referring to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification in the same issue.
The PTI petition alleged that Asif did not mention his foreign employment in his nomination papers. The foreign minister has denied the charges.