The Islamabad High Court (IHC) took a stand regarding the Toshakhana case against Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Imran Khan.
The IHC ruled the session court’s maintainability verdict as “null and void”, thereby directing the court to reevaluate and deliver a fresh judgement.
In addition to the ruling above, the court dismissed Imran Khan’s plea to shift the case to a different court. A notice was also issued regarding the denial of the witness list put forth. The IHC designated Additional Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar to proceed with the case hearings.
Dismissal of Petition by Supreme Court & Overview of the Toshakhana Case
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court turned down the ex-prime minister’s appeal against trial procedures related to the Toshakhana case, which he subsequently withdrew. The three-member bench, chaired by Justice Yahya Afridi and including Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Musarat Hilali, was in charge of the hearing.
The bench stated that the trial court does not hold the authority to rule the Toshakhana case until the High Court’s final decision is announced. The Supreme Court, earlier in the week, had sent back Imran Khan, advising him to wait for the IHC’s judgement.
The Toshakhana case is a major scandal involving Imran Khan, with allegations that the Prime Minister purchased gifts received during his tenure at nominal prices and sold them at significantly higher rates.
The controversy focuses on gifts that are supposed to be stored in the Toshakhana (Treasure House) and are allowed to be retained by government officials under certain circumstances. The gifts in question, including luxury watches purportedly sold in Dubai, are estimated to be worth over Rs140 million ($635,000). This has led to severe backlash and has called into question the Prime Minister’s compliance with Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution.
