A District and Sessions Court in Islamabad on Monday exempted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan from appearing before the court for the hearing of the Tosha Khana reference.
The court issued a notice to the former prime minister and directed him to ensure attendance at the next hearing.
Khan’s lawyer, Advocate Ali Bukhari, gave medical reasons for not appearing in court.
On December 15, the court issued a notice to Khan on a petition filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) seeking criminal action against him in the Tosha Khana case.
On November 22, the trial court heard the Tosha Khana reference filed by the Election Commission against Khan for his alleged involvement in corruption, which the former prime minister has repeatedly dismissed as fabricated.
According to the order of the Election Commission, the trial court of Islamabad sent a notice to the PTI chief.
Today’s hearing
During the hearing, the court asked Khan’s lawyer to present a power of attorney on Khan’s behalf.
“Have you attached a medical report [to the exemption application]?” The court questioned PTI chief’s lawyer. “No application has been submitted by Khan,” the court said.
On this, Bukhari said that he will ask for the medical report on WhatsApp.
Khan’s lawyer requested the court to set a date of February for hearing the Tosha Khana reference.
The ECP’s lawyer said Khan could not get bail until he produced himself in court.
He further requested the judge to issue an arrest warrant for the former prime minister if he does not appear in court.
The court remarked that it would look into the matter and asked the ECP to provide a certified copy of the case.
The court adjourned the hearing of the case till January 31.
