Islamabad: On Saturday, a local court judge expressed displeasure over PTI chief Imran Khan’s non-appearance in the Toshakhana case proceedings.
The Islamabad court has once again approved Imran Khan’s request for exemption from attendance for one day.
Islamabad Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Humayun Dilawar allowed the plea of immunity but strictly ordered PTI Chairman Imran Khan to appear before the court on Monday.
Toshakhana’s action is related to a criminal complaint filed against the PTI chairman by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for concealing details of state gifts.
Imran’s counsel Barrister Gohar Ali appeared and ECP was represented by Advocate Amjad Parvez.
During the hearing, Imran’s lawyer objected to the daily hearing of the case, and the court expressed its displeasure at the non-appearance of the PTI chief. However, the judge accepted the lawyer’s plea to grant Imran a one-day immunity but ordered the PTI chief to ensure his attendance on Monday (July 24).
Even a day ago, Imran’s lawyer Khawaja Haris Ahmed appeared and trying to drag the case, the judge was struggling to finish it in a few days. The cross-examination of the two prosecution witnesses was also adjourned till Monday.
At the start of the hearing, Imran’s counsel filed an application seeking exemption from his client’s appearance and adjourning the hearing to Monday (July 24).
The ECP’s counsel objected to this, saying “no cogent reasons” were mentioned in the exemption plea. Lawyer Parvez requested the court to issue instructions to ensure the appearance of the accused Imran in the court.
The learned judge asked PTI’s lawyer whether the accused will appear in court on Monday. Barrister Ali replied that Imran will appear in the Supreme Court on Monday for the case registered against him in Quetta.
ADSJ Dilawar then replied that the former prime minister can appear in this court after appearing in the Supreme Court. Lawyer Niazullah Niazi objected that why the case is being heard on a daily basis.
The judge replied, “The case file does not state anything except the plea of immunity. The application is also limited to today’s exemptions. You are objecting to hearings on a daily basis. Your plea of immunity was always accepted even though the accused never appeared in court even once.
The court then granted Imran’s request and directed his lawyer to ensure that he appears in the case after appearing in the Supreme Court on Monday. Later, the court adjourned the hearing.
