ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Additional District and Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar, who sentenced former prime minister Imran Khan for concealment of assets, and corrupt practices, have not been expelled from the University of Hull’s human rights and the rule of law program. Official university sources confirm that he continues to attend the course.
On Monday, news began circulating on social media through Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) accounts, claiming that the visiting Pakistani judge had been expelled due to an online campaign by the former ruling party.
However, a university source informed Geo News that these claims are fake and unsubstantiated. The university has confirmed that Judge Dilawar is actively participating in the course as scheduled and will remain at the university until its conclusion.
Despite a campaign by PTI urging the university to cancel Judge Dilawar’s attendance, the university has refused to comply with such demands.
Previously, the university stated that it has been providing human rights and rule of law training for Pakistani judges since 2014. Participants are selected by their respective high courts in Pakistan.
“The current cohort has been selected by the Islamabad High Court, the Peshawar High Court, and the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The University has no role in the selection of judges,” the statement reads.
Judge Humayun Dilawar, who sentenced Imran Khan to three years in prison in the Toshakhana case, traveled to London on Saturday after announcing the verdict.
Although PTI accounts claimed that the judge had been favored for convicting the former premier, documents reveal that his participation in the workshop was confirmed on July 31. His name was added to the list after one of the shortlisted judges, Faizan Haider, was unable to obtain his UK visa on time.
Other judicial officers attending the Hull University program or visiting include Zeba Chaudhry, Kamran Basharat, Shoaib Bilal, Abida Sajjad, Saima Iqbal, Ayesha Shabbir, Saqib Jawad, Rizwan Qureshi, and Sanam Bukhari.
Judge Dilawar left for London immediately after sentencing Imran Khan, who was arrested and sent to Attock jail shortly after the conviction.
PTI supporters in the UK announced their intentions to confront the judge, and approximately four workers reached London’s Heathrow Airport but were unable to locate the judge.
On Monday, about four workers also visited the university but were prevented by the administration from entering the premises.
A university spokesman stated that the administration has restricted access to irrelevant individuals and warned of legal action against any violation of this rule.
On Tuesday, nearly 100 members of PTI’s UK chapter staged a protest outside Hull University, demanding the expulsion of the judge. The protestors dispersed after two hours.
