Pakistan’s election commission bars ex-PM Khan from office

By MUNIR AHMED
Associated Press

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Officials say Pakistan’s elections commission has disqualified former Prime Minister Imran Khan from holding public office for five years, after finding he had unlawfully sold state gifts and concealed assets as premier. The decision is likely to deepen lingering political turmoil in the impoverished country. Khan’s spokesman, Fawad Chaudhry, told reporters on Friday that the Election Commission of Pakistan announced the much-awaited decision in the capital, Islamabad. Chaudhry condemned the disqualification of Khan from taking part in politics. Legal experts say Khan will lose his National Assembly seat under the decision. It comes months after the parliament ousted Khan in a no-confidence vote.