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Imran Khan barred from politics for five years
The former prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, has been barred from holding public office for five years by the country’s electoral authorities.
The decision was announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan three days after the former Prime Minister was sentenced to three years in prison for corruption. Tuesday’s announcement also means Imran Khan will be dismissed as an MP.
He maintains the charges are politically motivated, but the Pakistani government denies this.
Marriyum Aurangzeb, Pakistan’s minister of information and broadcasting, told the BBC before the announcement: “You have to be accountable for your deeds in law. This has nothing to do with politics. A person who has been proven guilty by the court has to be arrested.”
Imran Khan, 70, was elected as Pakistan’s leader in 2018, but was ousted in a no-confidence vote last year after falling out with the country’s powerful military. His guilty verdict on Saturday was centred on charges he incorrectly declared details of presents from foreign dignitaries and proceeds from their alleged sale.
The gifts – reported to be worth more than 140m Pakistani rupees ($635,000; £500,000) – included Rolex watches, a ring and a pair of cufflinks.
Local media reported that Imran Khan’s disqualification from running in any elections for five years was in line with that guilty ruling. Under Pakistani laws, a convicted person cannot run for public office for a period set out by the Election Commission of Pakistan.
His legal team has challenged the guilty verdict and the case will be heard in the Islamabad High Court on Wednesday.
The former prime minister is currently being held in a prison near Islamabad.
(BBC)
The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Justice and National Integration to appoint Thilak Nandana Hettiarachchi, a special grade officer in Sri Lanka Administrative Service who served in the post of Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Buddha Shasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, to the post of Commissioner General of Official Languages with immediate effect.
Business
Seven Acts under the subject of institutions implemented under the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development to be amended
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the joint proposal presented by the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development to include the aforesaid amendments of the Acts to the Legal Compilation Program of the government in the year 2025 for the amendment of the following Acts.
• National Gem and Jewellery Authority Act, No. 50 of 1993.
• Technical Development Act No. 36 of 1969
• Sri Lanka institute of textile and apparel Act, no. 12 of 2009
• Sri Lanka Export. Development Act, No. 40 of 1979
• National Enterprise Development Authority Act No. 17 of 2006 and National Enterprise Development Authority Act No.18 of 2014 (Amendment)
• National Crafts Council and Allied Institutions Act No. 35 of 1982
• National Crafts Council and Allied Institutions Act No.4 of 1996 (Special Provisions)
[It has been planned to amend the above acts that come under the subject of institutions implemented under the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development this year to create a strong and suitable institutional framework to expedite economic conversion in Sri Lanka]
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the joint proposal presented by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government and the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to hold the State Vesak Festival centered on the Nuwara Eliya International Buddhist Center Temple, declare May 10 to 16 as Vesak Week in 2025, and organize and implement various Buddhist programs during that period.
It has been decided to conduct the Vesak Festival this year under the theme “Bhajetha Miththe Kalyane- Bhajetha Purisuththame” (Let’s associate with noble friends of good qualities)
Ministerial committee appointed to review and further enhance ‘State Commercial Enterprises Management draft bill’
Thilak Nandana Hettiarachchi appointed Commissioner General of Official Languages
Cabinet gives green light for the introduction of new laws and amendment of existing acts in regard to the subject area of the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Facilities
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