ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan dismissed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan’s request of disqualifying Khyber Pakhtunkhwa MPA Ziaullah Afridi. While announcing on Thursday its verdict in the case, ECP declared Ziaullah eligible to hold the provincial assembly seat. ECP announced the verdict it had reserved on January 31, at a previous hearing of the case. Imran had filed a reference against Ziaullah, saying the latter had joined the Pakistan People’s Party and therefore could not stay in the provincial assembly on a PTI ticket. The PTI chief had also submitted proof of the MPA joining another party. Ziaullah, who was the minister for mineral development in the KP government, was dismissed over charges of corruption in his department. He announced in August 2017 of joining PPP after meeting the party’s co-chairperson, Asif Ali Zardari. Published in Daily Times, February 9th 2018.