Imran Khan to be indicted in Toshakhana case tomorrow

[FOOLS_NIGHTMARE]

• Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal will hear case.
• Khan’s counsel submitted surety bonds worth Rs20,000.
• PTI leader did not appear before court at previous hearing.

A local court in Islamabad will frame charges against former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in Toshakhana case on Tuesday (tomorrow).

At the previous hearing, Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal, while hearing the criminal proceedings against the PTI chief, had announced the date for the indictment of the deposed premier — who was removed from power via a no-confidence vote in April last year.

The orders were issued by the judge after the PTI chief failed to appear before the court for that day’s hearing.

During the course of the proceedings, the judge inquired Khan’s counsel Ali Bukhari about his client’s power of attorney.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) lawyer contended before the court that power of attorney cannot be submitted till Khan appears in person, and urged the court to issue arrest warrants for the former prime minister.

At this, the court ordered Bukhari to submit the power of attorney by that day. However, the court rejected the commission’s request but directed the PTI chief to submit surety bonds of Rs20,000 to ensure his presence in the next hearing.

In compliance with the court’s order, Khan’s counsel submitted the surety bonds worth Rs20,000.

In a major legal victory for the ruling coalition last year, the ECP, in a consensus verdict in the Toshakana reference, disqualified former prime minister Imran Khan and ruled that the PTI chief was no more a member of the National Assembly.

After disqualifying Khan in the Toshakana case, the poll organising authority moved the court seeking criminal proceedings against the PTI chief for the alleged corrupt practices.

Imran Khan to be indicted in Toshakhana case tomorrow

Former prime minister expected not to appear before court due to bullet injuries

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[FOOLS_NIGHTMARE]

Indictment deferred after Imran Khan skips Toshakhana case hearing​

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan speaks to media through video link. — PTI Instagram/File

• PTI chief's lawyer files exemption plea on health grounds.
• ECP directed to provide attested copies of evidence, complaint.
• Lawyers of PTI and ECP engage in verbal duel.

ISLAMABAD: A sessions court in the federal capital Tuesday deferred the indictment of former prime minister Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief skipped today’s hearing citing health reasons.
Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal pronounced the verdict reserved earlier in the day after the PTI chief filed a fresh petition seeking exemption from personal appearance.
Accepting the plea, the judge directed the legal team of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to provide attested copies of the evidence and complaint. A new date for the framing of charges will be announced later.
The reference was filed by the ECP in November last year, praying the court to proceed against the PTI chief under criminal law for allegedly misleading officials about the gifts he received from foreign dignitaries during his tenure as prime minister.
The ECP had requested that the PTI chief be convicted for the offences mentioned under sections 167 (corrupt practice) and 173 (making or publishing a false statement or declaration) of the Elections Act 2017.
It added that as per the record, the state gifts were purchased from the Toshakhana for Rs21.5 million on the basis of their assessed value, while they were valued at around Rs108 million.
On January 31, the judge had directed the PTI chairman to submit surety bonds of Rs20,000 to ensure his appearance today for indictment in the case.

Today’s hearing​

At the outset of today's hearing, the PTI's legal team filed a petition on behalf of Imran Khan seeking exemption from personal appearance citing health reasons.
The PTI chairman is recuperating from wounds he sustained in a gun attack on November 3 during a rally.
The judge asked the PTI lawyer about the surety bonds. To this, he informed the court that they had submitted the bonds a day earlier.
"How can we frame charges if exemption pleas are filed again and again?" the judge asked.
Imran Khan's lawyer, Barrister Ali Zafar, argued that they had not been provided attested copies of the evidence and complaint.
At this, ECP's lawyer said that they had provided the said documents in front of the court. However, the judge directed the lawyer to ensure that all the required material is provided to the defence.
During the proceedings, the ECP lawyer asked, "Why did Imran Khan not appear before the court?"
"We have seen him dancing on the container."
At this, Zafar warned the ECP representative from making such statements.
He also requested the court to fix any date after February 15 for an appearance.
"Give us a date when Imran Khan will appear" the judge inquired.
"He will come if he is able to," the counsel responded.

Indictment deferred after Imran Khan skips Toshakhana case hearing

We have seen him dancing on the container, ECP lawyer says after PTI chief sought exemption from appearance

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