Trial court summons PTI chief in Toshakhana case tomorrow

 

The district and sessions court in Islamabad has summoned former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana criminal proceeding case, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Additional Sessions Judge Hamayun Dilawar conducted the case proceedings on Friday.

Election Commission of Pakistan’s lawyer Amjad Pervaiz completed his arguments in the case today.

At the outset of the hearing, PTI chief’s lawyer Niazullah Niazi pleaded with the court to adjourn the case hearing as their petitions against the Toshakhana case were already being heard by the Supreme Court and Islamabad High Court.

But the judge set aside Mr Niazi’s plea and directed ECP lawyer Amjad Pervaiz to give his arguments. He said that he had given time to PTI lawyer Khawaja Haris to present his arguments today, if he did not give his arguments, it’s up to him.

Then the ECP lawyer started giving his arguments. He said that neither any vehicle nor jewelry was declared in the assets of PTI chairman and his wife. He said that the value of the house of 300 marla, and other assets was written only at Rs500,000.

Mr Pervaiz said that the prosecution's 2018/19 Toshakhana case was that they took gifts worth Rs107 million by paying 20 percent under the rules, but did not declare the jewelry and vehicles. They themselves admitted that they took Rs107 million worth of gifts but they did not declare them in Form B. They sold Rs107 million worth of gifts for Rs58 million but did not mention it.

He said that the former premier and his wife got 58 gifts from the Toshakhana. He said if the value of the gift is below Rs30,000, then there is no need to pay for them.

He said according to the record, the PTI chairman bought four gifts worth Rs21.6 million after paying 20% of their price. He said the purchased items included wrist watch, cuff links, iPhone, perfumes, and other items.

He said that the jewelry items were presented to the former prime minister’s wife. But the PTI chief did not mention any jewelry in Form B. He said that no word of expensive item was written in Form B.

When the ECP lawyer completed his arguments, the court took a break.

When the court resumed its hearing after the short break in the morning, the PTI chairman’s lawyer again requested the judge to wait for the Islamabad High Court’s verdict on the Toshakhana case, adding that the Supreme Court already declared in its hearing today that the trial court could not reserve its verdict on the Toshakhana case until the IHC’s gave its verdict. The lawyer pleaded with the trial court to wait for the IHC verdict, wondering why the court was in a hurry.

On this, Judge Hamayun Dilawar remarked, “Yes, we are in a hurry. Why you are not telling the Islamabad High Court or the Supreme Court that we are in a hurry. If there is any stay order, bring it here in the court.”

After that, the judge announced another break in the case proceedings for Friday prayers. 

When the trial court resumed hearing after the Friday prayers, by then the IHC verdict had been announced.

The lawyers told the D&SC that the IHC sent the case back to the sessions court after accepting PTI chief’s plea against the maintainability of the case.

In its verdict, the IHC overturned the district and sessions court’s decision to declare the Toshakhana case as admissible, asking it to hear it anew.

Hearing this, the sessions judge adjourned the case till 8:30 am tomorrow. The court also summoned PTI Chief Imran Khan tomorrow.

Judge Dilawar asked the PTI chief’s lawyer to present his final arguments for or against the maintainability of the case tomorrow. He warned that if the PTI lawyer failed to present his arguments tomorrow, the court would announce its verdict.

 

 Reporter Farzana Siddique