Toshakhana: Imran eyeing relief from SC

Lawyer says court may give a decision on the applications after the conclusion of the trial

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is eyeing relief from the Supreme Court for its chief Imran Khan in the Toshakhana reference wherein the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had filed a criminal complaint before a sessions court on charges of corrupt practices over non-disclosure of gifts received from foreign governments during his tenure as premier.

A member of PTI legal team, while talking to The Express Tribune, maintained that they had no issue regarding appearance of Imran before Islamabad sessions court judge Zafar Iqbal on March 18.

“However, we want that our applications regarding the maintainability of the ECP's complaint are decided,” he added.

He said they would approach the superior courts in case their applications were rejected.

“It is unlikely that the trial would conclude this year,” he noted.

Another lawyer rejected the impression that the trial would conclude soon after Imran’s indictment, adding that the applications had to be decided before taking a final decision on the ECP complaint.

However, the court may give a decision on the applications after the conclusion of the trial, the lawyer said.

Likewise, if the Islamabad High Court does not give relief to Imran, then the PTI may approach the Supreme Court over maintainability of the complaint, he added.

Khawaja Haris, who had appeared on behalf of the PML-N supremo and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Panamagate trial, is now defending Imran in the Toshakhana criminal reference.

Interestingly, the situation is similar in both the matters wherein the “powerful circles” wanted to achieve the same objective –disqualification of the premier.
However, incumbent Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial is different from then CJP Mian Saqib Nisar who had forced the accountability court to conclude trial in the Avenfield case before 2018 general elections. The PTI is hopeful to get relief from CJP Bandial in this difficult time.

Meanwhile, Imran’s party enjoys support from the legal community. Supreme Court Bar Association President Abid Zuberi and Lahore High Court Bar Association President Ishtiaq Chaudhry are fully backing the former ruling party in the prevailing political situation.

Hundreds of lawyers had gathered in front of Zaman Park to make police efforts unsuccessful for the arrest of the PTI chief.

PTI has also engaged professional lawyers to plead their cases on different forums.

It will be interesting to see whether the PTI’s legal team is successful in deferring the matter until the results of the National Assembly general elections are announced.