Imran Khan, the chief of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, who is currently serving a prison sentence in Attock Jail, has filed a plea in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to challenge his conviction in the Toshakhana case. The trial court had sentenced Imran to three years in prison and disqualified him from contesting general elections.
The plea filed by Imran Khan’s lawyers argues that the trial court’s verdict is biased and should be set aside. It claims that the judge had a predetermined mindset and refused to hear the arguments of Imran’s counsel. The plea also alleges that the judgment was already written and took only 30 minutes to dictate more than 35 pages. Moreover, it highlights that there was a lack of evidence presented by the prosecution and that none of the witnesses provided evidence in the case.
The Toshakhana case revolves around allegations that Imran Khan concealed details of gifts he had received during his time as the prime minister. Imran has faced legal issues regarding the retention of these gifts, leading to his disqualification by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The ECP had filed a criminal complaint against Imran, accusing him of misleading officials about the gifts he received from foreign dignitaries. The ECP’s order stated that Imran had made false statements and incorrect declarations, resulting in his disqualification. The case was subsequently taken to the Islamabad sessions court, which declared the ECP reference maintainable. However, the decision was challenged in the IHC, which asked the judge to re-examine the jurisdiction and procedural aspects of the case.
The plea submitted to the IHC requests for the trial court’s verdict to be set aside, Imran’s conviction and sentence to be declared illegal, and for him to be acquitted of the charges.
Overall, Imran Khan is seeking justice and fair treatment in the Toshakhana case and hopes to overturn his conviction through the legal process.