ISLAMABAD: On Tuesday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) dismissed a petition filed by Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), seeking the suspension of his jail trial in corruption references related to the Toshakhana gift and £190 million embezzlement.
The division bench of the IHC, consisting of Chief Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, announced the verdict, which had been reserved on January 24. The court stated that detailed reasons for the decision would be issued in a written order.
Imran Khan had challenged the trial in corruption references during the proceedings. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) lawyer, Amjad Pervaiz, informed the court that Imran Khan was arrested on November 13 in the Al-Qadir Trust case, following permission from the Official Secrets Act special court.
During the last hearing, the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) submitted a report on the media coverage of the Al-Qadir Trust and Toshakhana cases. Imran Khan’s lawyer, Shoaib Shaheen, argued that the recent amendment to the NAB law has changed the authority for appointing judges. He mentioned that the NAB’s request and the cabinet’s approval were swiftly processed on November 13.
Shoaib Shaheen also highlighted issues regarding public access to the court, stating that lawyers accompanying him were denied permission to enter the court. He expressed concern that the judges were dedicating their time solely to the trial in these cases.
On January 9, an accountability court indicted Imran Khan and his spouse, Bushra Bibi, in the Toshakhana reference filed against them by the NAB.
