Court summons PTI chief in Toshakhana case

The District and Sessions Court of Islamabad issued summoned on Wednesday for the personal appearance of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman in the Toshakhana case and indicated a day-to-day hearing of the case.

The case related to the Toshakhana [the government’s repository of gifts received by the public officer holders] against the PTI chairman was heard by Additional Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar.

Saad Hassan, the counsel for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) appeared in the court. The PTI chairman was represented by Barrister Gohar. A copy of the petition filed by the PTI legal team in the high court was also submitted in the court.

Barrister Gohar requested court that the cause list of the cases in the high court was cancelled. He added that on Thursday (today), he would be busy in the high court for the whole day, therefore, the hearing of the Toshakhana case be adjourned till Saturday.

However, the judge remarked that the hearing was adjourned till Thursday (today) and that the court would hear the case on a daily basis. The court also summoned the PTI chief in his person.

During the hearing, Sher Afzal Marwat, another lawyer for the PTI chief, engaged in bitter exchanges with the court. The judge remarked that the court would not listen to him now, rather it would see to the matter on Thursday.

At one point, the judge told the lawyer that because of his behaviour, he would issue a non-bailable warrant for the PTI chairman. However, Barrister Gohar intervened and told Marwat to leave the courtroom.

Later, the hearing was adjourned till 11am Thursday (today).