Former prime minister Imran Khan, who has not been brought to an open court since his arrest in August 2023 and has already been convicted in three cases through proceedings held inside Adiala Jail, has requested that his ongoing graft trial be conducted publicly.
During Monday's hearing of the case concerning alleged violations of state gift repository rules by Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, the PTI founder's counsel submitted a request for an open court trial.
Advocate Faisal Chaudhry argued that Imran Khan has been facing trial in jail for the past 20 months and urged the court to halt proceedings until a decision on the petition is made.
Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand received the application but proceeded with the trial.
During the proceedings, attended by both Imran and Bushra, their counsels started cross-examination of the seventh prosecution witness, Qaiser Mahmood. Mahmood will be further cross-examined at the next hearing on February 17. The defense has already cross-examined six prosecution witnesses.
On Monday, Adiala Jail superintendent submitted a response to the court regarding Imran's lawyer Mishal Yousafzai's petition. The jail official said the legal license of Mishal has been suspended by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Association.
The bar is also conducting an inquiry into the submission of a power of attorney under the suspended license, he said. Last week, the Adiala Jail authorities had not allowed the lawyer to attend the court proceedings. Mishal had later moved an application in the court.
Later talking to reporters outside the jail, Chaudhry said after the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the courts are being controlled, and even within Adiala Jail, the trial is being conducted in a controlled environment. "During today's hearing of the Toshakhana II case, we have filed a request on behalf of the PTI founder for an open court appearance, as it is his right to have a public trial.
The public is not allowed to witness the open jail trial, and proceedings are being conducted in a controlled environment inside Adiala Jail.
"We are addressing the international media as well the PTI founder is being denied the right to an open trial and a fair trial. We seek a fair trial under the Constitution and the law. We also call upon human rights organizations, as the PTI founder is being targeted for political revenge."
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