IHC issues stay order on Khan’s indictment in Toshakhana case

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan was indicted in the Toshakhana on Friday, but the indictment was put on hold by the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

A day after being taken into custody in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust case from the grounds of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), Imran Khan was charged in the Toshakhana case on Wednesday. Chief Justice Aamer Farooq of the Islamabad High Court presided over the hearing. Khan’s attorney, Khawaja Haris, argued in court that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) did not file a complaint against his client in accordance with the law. After the deadline has passed, the complaint cannot be advanced, he added. Khawaja Haris was questioned by the IHC CJ about what the session judge who heard the case had to say.

The judge said we will see the matter during the recording of the statements in the case, he replied and added the case is not admissible for hearing. After hearing arguments from Imran Khan’s lawyer, IHC CJ issued a stay order on the indictment and ordered the sessions court to halt the proceedings.

The reference, which alleges that Imran failed to share details of the gifts he retained from the Toshaskhana (during his time as the prime minister) was filed by lawmakers from the ruling coalition last year.

The Toshakhana issue became a major sticking point in national politics after the Election Commission of Pakistan disqualified the PTI chief for making “false statements and incorrect declaration” last month.

The judgement added that the former premier was found to be indulged in corrupt practices under sections 167 and 173 of the constitution. “A criminal proceeding will be initiated against him over filing a false statement.