ISLAMABAD, June 12: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Tuesday filed a reference against Tehrik-i-Insaaf chief Imran Khan to National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain, seeking disqualification of the TI leader.

Speaking at a press conference here, the Parliamentary Leader of the MQM, Dr Farooq Sattar, said that the reference had been filed under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution and the Public Representation Act, 1976.

Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Ghauri and MNA Haider Abbas Rizvi were present on the occasion.

Mr Sattar said that the Los Angeles Superior Court had declared on July 30, 1997, that Imran Khan was father of a daughter of Anna Luise alias Sita White born out of wedlock.

He said the court wrote in its verdict that “the defendant (Imran Khan) was the father of the minor child (Tyrian Jade) born on June 18, 1992.”

The court had further said that Ms Anna Luise would have the sole legal and physical custody of the child, he added.

Mr Sattar said that a copy of the US court verdict had been attached with the reference submitted to the Speaker of the National Assembly.

He said Imran Khan deserved to be disqualified for being a member of the National Assembly as under the laws of the land no person involved in such extra-marital affairs could contest elections or continue as a member of parliament.

Giving details about the reference, MQM leaders said the reference had been prepared under the Rules of Procedure Clause 16 and People's Presentation Act Clause III.

Answering a question, he said the speaker was bound to forward the reference to the Election Commission of Pakistan within 30 days and the ECP should announce its decision within 90 days.

Earlier, the MQM leaders submitted a copy of the reference in the chamber of National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain.

The MQM leaders parried a question as to why had the MQM not taken action against Imran Khan when the US court had announced its verdict.

Federal minister Babar Ghauri said in reply to a question that the MQM could in no way be termed a terrorist organisation. He said that a report of a US think-tank declaring the MQM a terrorist organisation was baseless and must not be given importance as it did not reflect the official position of the government of the United States.

He said such think-tanks also kept accusing Pakistan of being a terrorist country.