Imran Khan approaches SC to impose lifetime ban on defectors

Urges formation of full court including all justices to hear case

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan approached the Supreme Court on Thursday in order to impose a lifetime ban from contesting polls on defecting lawmakers.

According to local media, the petition named the Election Commission of Pakistan, speaker of the National Assembly, Federation of Pakistan through the secretary cabinet division, and secretary of the ministry of law and justice as respondents.

PTI lawyer Babar Awan submitted the petition in the apex court earlier today requesting the formation of a full court comprising all judges of the Supreme Court.

In his petition, the former prime minister argued that defection was a violation of Article 63-A of the constitution.

The said article states that a lawmaker can be disqualified on grounds of defection if he “votes or abstains from voting in the House contrary to any direction issued by the parliamentary party to which he belongs, in relation to election of the prime minister or chief minister; or a vote of confidence or a vote of no-confidence; or a money bill or a Constitution (amendment) bill”.

Khan explained in his petition that floor crossing also had a moral implication and eroded the nation’s trust.

He added that it further dispelled the mandate of the people, and exposed the system to humiliation while sabotaging national security.