PTI opposes request for gift case retrial

Says prosecution wants to get Imran convicted once again

ISLAMABAD:

The counsel for former prime minister Imran Khan has opposed NAB request to remand back the Toshakhana-I case to an accountability court for retrial.

On January 31, Islamabad Accountability Court-I convicted Imran and his wife Bushra Bibi in a case related to violation of the state's gift repository—Toshkhana—rules for personal gain and sentenced both of them to 14 years in prison.

The former PM and his wife had later challenged their conviction in the Islamabad High Court (IHC). However, last week, NAB, in a surprising move requested the IHC to remand back the case for retrial.

Appearing before a division bench, comprising IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farood and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb on Thursday, Imran's counsel, Senator Ali Zafar, said the court last week had asked him to consult with his clients on NAB's request.

"I was not allowed to meet Imran Khan [at Adiala Jail]. I have, however, received instructions from the PTI legal team and I will initiate my arguments on the appeals [filed by Imran and Bushra] against the accountability court's [January 31] order," he said.

He said in this case, the blame for a faulty trial lies on the prosecution which both stigmatized his clients and also got them convicted. "Now they request that the case be remanded back for retrial. They want to get my clients convicted once again so that we may have to file an appeal again," he said.

In his remarks, Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb cited the examples of SGS-Cotecna reference which a seven-bench Supreme Court bench remanded back for retrial to an accountability. He said the accountability court later acquitted the accused in the case, PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.

Barrister Ali Zafar said the accused in the SGS-Cotecna case were acquitted as the government which had filed the reference was no more in power.

The court adjourned the hearing until November 27.