The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has constituted a new bench to hear the disqualification case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan for allegedly failing to disclose his alleged daughter, Tyrian White, in his nomination papers for the 2018 general elections.
The newly formed bench includes Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Justice Arbab Mohammad Tahir, and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz. The case is scheduled for hearing on May 21.
The disqualification case, initiated by petitioner Mohammad Sajid, claims that Imran Khan provided false information in his 2018 election nomination papers by not declaring Tyrian White as his daughter. Sajid’s petition alleges that Khan’s omission violates the election regulations and questions his eligibility.
The case, which has been pending since May 2023, saw a significant development when the previous three-member bench was dissolved by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq. This dissolution followed differing opinions among the judges on the maintainability of the petition. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani and Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir had previously opined against the petition’s maintainability and uploaded their views on the IHC official website, which were later removed due to procedural issues.
In forming the new bench, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq recused himself, and Justice Tahir, who earlier deemed the petition non-maintainable, remains part of the bench.
Background of the Case
The case roots back to allegations that Imran Khan did not disclose his alleged daughter, Tyrian White, in the affidavit submitted to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) during the 2018 general elections. The petitioner argues that despite having three children, Khan only declared two in his nomination papers, concealing Tyrian’s existence.
The petition, titled “Imran versus Imran — the untold story”, claims that Sita White, Tyrian’s mother, had named Jemima Goldsmith, Khan’s former wife, as Tyrian’s guardian in her will before her death in 2004. Furthermore, a judgment by a California court established Imran Khan’s paternity of Tyrian Jade.
Initially, Khan participated in the proceedings but later withdrew when asked to undergo a blood test to confirm paternity.
The IHC’s decision to form a new bench underscores the legal complexities and high stakes involved in this disqualification case. The outcome could significantly impact Imran Khan’s political career and the PTI’s standing.
The new bench will now review the petition’s claims and decide on the matter of Khan’s disqualification based on the alleged nondisclosure of Tyrian White in his 2018 nomination papers.
As the IHC prepares for the May 21 hearing, the political landscape of Pakistan watches closely. The case against Imran Khan highlights issues of transparency and legal obligations for public office holders, setting a critical precedent for future elections and candidate disclosures in the country.
