The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has reserved its decision on a series of petitions filed by PTI Chairman Imran Khan challenging the Toshakhana trial. The petitions involve his application against the maintainability of a complaint seeking criminal proceedings for concealing Toshakhana gifts and a request to transfer the case to another trial court. Additionally, a third petition was submitted today, seeking the right to a defense in the case.
Imran Khan submitted these applications after a trial court ruled last month that the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) reference against him was admissible. The charges against the PTI leader were framed on May 10, but IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq intervened and directed Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Humayun Dilawar to re-examine the case, considering eight legal questions to determine the maintainability of the Toshakhana reference.
However, during the re-examination, Imran’s counsel, Khawaja Haris, failed to appear before the court for three consecutive hearings. Eventually, on July 9, ADSJ Dilawar ruled that the reference was maintainable, and proceedings were resumed.
Yesterday, Judge Dilawar noted that Imran had not established the relevance of his witnesses in court and urged the defense counsel to conclude the arguments promptly.
Today, during the hearing in front of Justice Farooq, Imran’s lawyers Khawaja Haris and Gohar Khan presented their arguments on the petitions, while ECP counsel Amjad Pervaiz also shared the commission’s stance.
Justice Farooq reserved the verdict on all the petitions, stating that the judgment would be announced tomorrow (Friday).
The case has drawn attention for its speedy hearings, with Imran’s counsel raising concerns about potential bias and haste in the judicial process. The matter is now under the IHC’s consideration, and the verdict is eagerly awaited.
