ISLAMABAD: A division bench at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) dismissed the petitions seeking the suspension of Imran Khan’s prison sentence. The two-member bench was comprised of Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri.
Imran Khan’s legal representatives requested a suspension of the jail sentence. However, the court declined to immediately terminate the term and issued notices to all concerned parties for a subsequent hearing.
The former Prime Minister had been found guilty of ‘corrupt practices’ in the Toshakhana case by an Islamabad sessions court on August 5. Despite the verdict being announced in Islamabad, Imran Khan was apprehended shortly after from his residence in Lahore. Having been sentenced to three years in jail, Imran Khan is currently confined in Attock Jail.
SC Prohibits Imran Khan’s Arrest In Lawyer Murder Case
In a separate development related to the Quetta lawyer murder case, the Supreme Court has temporarily prohibited authorities from arresting Imran Khan until August 24. Abdul Razaq Shar, who had filed a treason case against Imran, was fatally shot in Quetta in June. Imran was named the primary suspect in his murder case.
While hearing the case Today, an exchange of harsh words occurred between the plaintiff’s lawyer, Amanullah Kanrani, and the bench.
Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi warned the petitioner’s lawyer that he would receive a contempt of court notice. In response, Kanrani apologized to the court. Subsequently, the court withheld its decision on the apology.
During the court proceedings, Latif Khosa, the lawyer for Imran Khan, informed the court that his client had been arrested in a separate case, and lawyers were being summoned.
Following this, Amanullah Kanrani leveled an accusation against Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi, alleging his involvement in a case registered in Sindh. In response, the judge directed the lawyer to substantiate his claims.
Justice Rizvi stated that in the absence of proof for the allegation, he would issue a contempt of court notice. He emphasized that this type of behavior constitutes character assassination.
Justice Rizvi questioned, “If you become a judge, then I will present arguments. But if you want to be a party, then I will say something else,” Kanrani said.
The court observed that Amanullah Kanrani’s conduct does not resemble that of senior lawyers.
Kanrani offered his apologies to the court with folded hands.
“I accept your apology,” Justice Yahya Afridi said.
However, Justice Rizvi and Justice Mazahar Naqvi declined to accept the apology. As a result, the court decided to reserve its decision regarding the apology
