ISLAMABAD: A sessions court in Islamabad Thursday accepted former prime minister Imran Khan’s request for personal exemption in the Toshakhana case hearing, ordering him to appear before the court on Friday.
The exemption was granted to the former prime minister after his counsel, Gohar Ali Khan, informed Additional District and Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar that Khan was scheduled to appear before the Lahore High Court (LHC).
The counsel requested the court to set a hearing date after July 10.
Although the request for an extended exemption was made, the court granted Khan a day-long exemption but instructed his counsel to ensure the former prime minister’s presence in court the following day.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has returned to the trial court a petition of Khan seeking to have the case against him declared as “inadmissible.”
IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq directed the trial court to listen to the arguments of the PTI chief’s counsel and reconsider whether or not the case was admissible.
During the hearing, Ali Khan, the counsel for Khan, expressed surprise at the case being scheduled for today, as it was initially set for July 8. He said they were unaware of the change in the hearing date.
The judge mentioned earlier remarks by Khan’s lawyer Sher Afzal Marwat, saying that Khawaja Haris Ahmad was also expected to appear. However, Ali Khan clarified he was representing Haris in court that day.
The judge raised concerns about the lack of coordination between the two counsels. While acknowledging that he could grant exemptions for appearances on July 7 and 8 as well, he emphasized the need to reach a decision in the case by July 10 and requested the counsel to present arguments.
During the proceedings, Amjad Parvez, the lawyer representing the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), pointed out that Khan had already enjoyed a 45-day stay granted by the IHC. He noted they were now back to the starting point after seven months.
Following the arguments, the judge adjourned the hearing and directed both Imran Khan and his counsel, Ahmad, to appear before the court tomorrow.
The case centres on a government department known as Toshakhana — which during the Mughal era referred to the treasure houses kept by the subcontinent’s princely rulers to store and display gifts lavished on them.
Government officials must declare all gifts to the Cabinet Division, but are allowed to keep those below a certain value.
More expensive items must go to Toshakhana under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division, but in some cases, the recipient can buy them back at around 50 percent of their value — a discount Khan raised from 20 percent while in office.
The ruling coalition of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) parties has for months alleged Khan and his wife, Bushra Maneka, received lavish gifts worth millions during trips abroad. They included luxury watches, jewellery, designer handbags and perfumes.
Khan was indicted in the Toshakhana case on May 10 by Dilawar, who had dismissed objections regarding the case’s admissibility.
Subsequently, he approached the IHC, which had temporarily halted criminal proceedings in the case until June 8.
