On Friday, the Islamabad High Court’s Registrar issued a directive based on IHC Chief Justice Amir Farooq’s instructions, reassigning Judge Humayun Dilawar, who had sentenced former Prime Minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan, as an officer on Special Duty (OSD). This means Dilawar, previously an Additional Sessions Judge, must now report directly to the Islamabad High Court.
Earlier in the month, Judge Dilawar sentenced the PTI leader to three years in prison and imposed a fine of Rs100,000 regarding the Toshakhana criminal case. PTI later contested this decision in the Islamabad High Court and Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court, after hearing the PTI chairman’s appeal, indicated they would defer their judgment until after the Islamabad High Court’s decision. In a subsequent hearing, IHC Chief Justice Farooq expressed reservations about the trial court’s handling of the Toshakhana case.
During a judicial conference at the University of Hull from August 5-13, Judge Dilawar faced harassment from PTI supporters in the UK. This incident, which involved various members, including women and children of the former ruling party, was widely circulated on social media. British authorities subsequently provided security measures for the judge’s protection.
