Imran again seeks SC reprieve in gifts case

IHC lists PTI chief’s petitions for hearing on August 3

ISLAMABAD:

Counsels for former premier Imran Khan once again rushed to the Supreme Court, seeking suspension of Imran’s trial in the Toshakhana case after a sessions court in Islamabad rejected the PTI chief’s request to defer his trial for some time and ordered him to give his testimony today [Tuesday].

On July 27, a division bench of the apex court declined Imran’s request to stay his trial in the court of Islamabad Additional District and Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar in the Toshakhana case but urged the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to decide some pending petitions of the PTI chairman.

Imran had challenged in the IHC the trial court’s July 8 order, declaring as maintainable the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) complaint seeking criminal proceedings against him for not disclosing the gifts he received from foreign dignitaries during his term as the PM in his statement of assets.

He had also filed a petition requesting the court to stay the trial court’s proceedings, which had already summoned Imran Khan on July 31 (Monday) to give his testimony.

At the IHC, Imran’s counsels had argued that if the trial court concluded his proceedings, the PTI’s petitions would become ineffective. They had urged the court to take up the petitions expeditiously.

However, the IHC on Monday listed Imran’s petitions for hearing on August 3 [Thursday] as the trial court judge rejected Imran’s request to defer the case till the IHC decided his petitions.

The PTI chief, who appeared in the trial court on Monday, told Judge Dilawar that he needed time to carefully read the 35 questions asked by the court before giving his testimony in the Toshakhana case.

Imran’s lawyers requested the court to postpone his testimony until the IHC decided the petitions. However, the judge turned down the request and ordered the PTI chief to appear in the court on Tuesday (today).

Later, lawyers for the PTI chairman filed a petition in the Supreme Court, requesting it to suspend the trial proceedings in the Toshakhana case.

In the petition, they contended that despite their request the IHC did not suspend the trial court’s proceedings. They said if the proceedings are not suspended, the sessions court will conclude the trial rendering Imran’s petition pending in the IHC ineffective.

They said the IHC should either have suspended the court proceedings or rejected the PTI’s petitions. They requested the apex court to list the case for hearing today [Tuesday].

Interestingly, the PTI legal team also met Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial in his chamber and allegedly requested him to list the case on priority. The CJP asked them to first file an appeal. The court office later allotted a number to the petition.