Toshakhana vehicles case against Zardari and Nawaz Sharif remains stalled

Islamabad: A Toshakhana vehicles case involving President Asif Ali Zardari, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and others has remained without progress for six years, and has also seen no forward movement in the 16 months since it was shifted from a National Accountability Bureau court to a Federal Investigation Agency court.

On Thursday, Special Judge Central Humayun Dilawar adjourned the matter without any proceedings after the FIA did not submit a challan report. The court put off the hearing until June 2.

According to the reported details, the case was transferred to the court of the special judge central on December 12, 2024, after amendments were made to NAB laws. Since that transfer, 17 hearings have been adjourned without any progress in the proceedings.

The case concerns Toshakhana vehicles and names President Zardari, Nawaz Sharif and other individuals. The latest hearing did not move forward because the prosecution side did not place the challan before the court.

The development means the matter remains pending despite repeated listings before the court. The reported record shows that even after the transfer from the NAB court to the FIA court, the proceedings have not advanced.

Case remains pending after transfer

The transfer of the case followed changes in the legal framework governing NAB matters. After the amendments to NAB laws, the case was moved to the special judge central. However, the shift in forum has not resulted in substantive progress so far.

At Thursday’s hearing, the absence of the challan report from the FIA prevented the court from taking the matter forward. Judge Humayun Dilawar then adjourned the proceedings and fixed June 2 as the next date of hearing.

The reported timeline indicates that the case has now remained pending for six years overall. In addition, 16 months have passed since its transfer to the FIA court, during which the matter has continued to face delays.

The case was deferred until June 2.

The repeated adjournments underline the continued delay in the disposal of the Toshakhana vehicles case against the president, the former prime minister and others named in the matter.