Imran challenges IHC rejection in Toshakhana case

Petition filed in SC urges annulment of Dec 6, 2023 decision or transfer of case to LHC

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan on Saturday filed a petition with the Supreme Court challenging the rejection of the request to withdraw the case from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the Toshakhana reference against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision.

In the petition, Imran highlighted that a similar petition was already filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) concerning the commission’s actions to remove him from assembly membership and party chairmanship, while the case was simultaneously being heard in the IHC.

The petition emphasises that despite the request made to the IHC to withdraw the case, it was declined. It asserts that no court should prevent the return of the case.

Read: Indictment in Toshakhana case on 4th

The petition urges the annulment of the IHC’s Dec 6, 2023 decision, and if this is not possible, requests the transfer of the case to the LHC.

The ECP, the National Assembly speaker, and other relevant parties have been included in the petition as respondents.

Separately, the PTI filed an application in the Supreme Court to fix the case regarding the election symbol of cricket bat for early hearing.

In the request to set the case for urgent hearing in the Supreme Court, a stand has been taken that the election symbol case should be heard on Jan 8 or be set for early hearing in the month of January.