Ex-Pakistani PM Imran Khan challenges disqualification from office
- On Friday, Pakistan’s election commission found Khan illegally sold state gifts and concealed assets as premier
- Decision deepened lingering political turmoil in country struggling with a spiralling economy, food shortages and the aftermath of unprecedented floods
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday challenged an election commission ruling disqualifying him from holding public office for five years, his spokesman and lawyer said.
The commission on Friday found that Khan illegally sold state gifts and concealed assets as premier.
Government officials must declare all gifts, but are allowed to keep those below a certain value.
Pakistani newspapers have for months carried lurid stories alleging Khan and his wife received lavish gifts worth millions during trips abroad -- including luxury watches, jewellery, designer handbags and perfumes.
Khan has said he did not register some gifts on national security grounds, but in a written submission admitted buying items worth nearly 22 million rupees (US$100,000), and later selling them for more than twice that amount.
The ruling disqualified Khan under Pakistani law from holding public office for five years and he lost his seat in parliament automatically.
