MPA Ziaullah Afridi's lawyer on Monday filed an application in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) asking for dismissal of the petition filed against his client by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

The lawyer in his request alleged that the petition was filed against Afridi — a former PTI minister — with malicious intent and therefore, should be dismissed.

In the reference, filed on Sept 27, the PTI chief sought Afridi's disqualification from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on the grounds that the former minister had confirmed that he would be joining the PPP.

Advocate Lateef Khosa submitted his request along with a written response today as a three-member bench of the ECP took up the petition.

The lawyer said that he may also file a request asking the ECP to order Imran to appear before the commission for a hearing.

"Khan sahab should come and tell the commission if my client was removed from the party or resigned," the lawyer said.

The case was adjourned until December 26.