The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday reserved its verdict on the petition filed by former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan, seeking withdrawal of his appeal against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision in Toshakhana reference dated October 21, 2022, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

IHC Chief Justice (CJ) Justice Aamer Farooq heard the case.

The ECP’s DG Law, on the occasion, opposed withdrawal of appeal by the PTI chairman, saying it was Islamabad where the election commission’s office was located, and its lawyers were also based there. “Hence, the reference was heard here in Islamabad, and the IHC is the court where the appeal should be heard,” he argued.

The ECP’s lawyer, on the other hand, prayed to the court to adjourn the case’s hearing.

The CJ asked the DG if he wanted to submit something in writing, he was welcome. “Please don’t make it an issue. Give your arguments and wind it up,” he said, adding, “We reserve verdict in the case. If you want to submit in writing, please go ahead.”   

CJ Farooq remarked that if a person filed an appeal, it did not mean that it could not be withdrawn.

Imran’s counsel Barrister Ali Zafar said that his client wanted to take the appeal back. “We are not even giving arguments in the case,” he said, and added, “All we want is that the court accepts our request for the withdrawal of our appeal.”

Barrister Zafar told the court that PTI chairman wanted to file the appeal in the Lahore High Court (LHC) instead.

Counsel for the election commission opined that the appeal could not be withdrawn without first listening to the principal lawyer Amjad Pervez.

The CJ remarked that taking the appeal back was the appellant’s right.

The ECP had on October 21, 2022 disqualified PTI chief Imran Khan in the Toshakhana reference under Article 63(1)(p) for making “false statements and incorrect declaration”.

The decision led to protests in various cities of the country.

Reporter: Rozeena Ali