Imran's appeal set for October 29

IHC to hear PTI founder's challenge against 14-year Toshakhana sentence

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan's appeal against 14-year sentence in the Toshakhana case will be heard on October 29.

An Islamabad High Court (IHC) bench comprising Chief Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Gul Hasan Aurangzeb will hear the appeal. The IHC CJ heard the miscellaneous pleas for early hearing of Imran Khan's appeal against the decision of the Accountability Court in the Toshakhana case. He accepted the pleas for early hearing and directed to fix the main appeal for hearing on October 29.

Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Bashir had announced 14-year sentence each to Imran and his spouse Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana case. Later, the IHC suspended the sentence and released Imran Khan on bail. The appeal against the Toshakhana verdict was pending, which was fixed for hearing on October 29.

Meanwhile, the IHC has directed the PIMS executive director to constitute a medical board for PTI founder Imran Khan's check-up. The court has also directed to include Dr Faisal Sultan, personal physician of the PTI founder, in the board and submit the report at the Registrar Office.

The court ordered to send a copy of its order to the Adiala Jail superintendent for implementation on the order. The order mentioned that 72-year old PTI founder Imran Khan was former prime minister and under-trial prisoner.

Meeting with lawyers

While his wife gained freedom on Thursday after a nine-month detention, former prime minister Imran Khan also received a form of relief, as the Adiala Jail authorities allowed him to meet with his lawyers after a long gap of over 20 days, albeit only after the intervention of a court.

A single-member bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) comprising Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan on Thursday resumed hearing a contempt of court petition filed by PTI's Faisal Chaudhry Advocate against the authorities' refusal to comply with court orders with regard to Imran's meetings with his lawyers.

The petitioner's lawyer stated that since October 3, the lawyers have not been allowed to meet with Imran in jail. He asked, "If we went to jail, would we pose a security threat?" The state counsel responded that meetings were not arranged because no court hearings were being held in jail.

"After October 3, security threats also led to restrictions. The Punjab government imposed a ban on jail meetings based on the law and order situation," he said.