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Pakistan's Premier Multilingual News Agency

Imran Khan granted relief in Toshakhana case

The case has been adjourned until June 8 for further deliberations.

Islamabad, 12 May 2023 (GNP): In a significant development, the Toshakhana case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has been put on hold by an order from the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

Additional Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar recently charged Khan on May 10, and the stay order is in force until the upcoming hearing planned for June 8.

PTI chief’s legal team had raised objections to the indictment, which Judge Dilawar rejected. Imran Khan then petitioned the IHC to overturn the lower court’s restraining order.

Khan’s lawyer, Khawaja Haris, argued during the hearing that a district election commissioner submitted the complaint against his client, who lacked the authority to do so. 

Also ReadToshakhana case unveiled: Imran Khan indicted

Haris noted that neither the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) nor any letter to that effect had been used to designate a competent authority.

“The complaint filed without the competent authority cannot be heard,” stated Haris, underscoring the reliance on the prosecution’s submitted documents.

Chief Justice of IHC Aamer Farooq recognized that the interim order had been the subject of similar pleadings and petitions. He sought clarity on whether the matter should be treated as a main petition.

Khan’s lawyer responded by saying there were legitimate concerns to voice and that a magistrate should have first heard the case. Haris also contended that it was illegal for the complaint to have been submitted after the deadline.

Also Read: Supreme Court Declares Imran Khan’s arrest illegal

IHC chief justice also made a remark on the intense security outside the high court, quipping, “It seems curfew has been imposed.”

Khawaja Haris thereupon asked the chief justice to impose a suspension of the Toshakhana case proceedings. 

The trial was put on hold while IHC considered PTI’s petition and accepted it as a plea. To allow for more consideration, the matter has been postponed until June 8.

The Toshakhana case basically centers around the Election Commission of Pakistan’s complaint, which accused Imran Khan of failing to disclose information about gifts he received while serving as prime minister.

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