- Khan’s lawyer requested a bank change that was rejected.
- The Court postpones the hearing of the Toshakhana case until January 28.
- IHC rejects the request to stop the procedures of the Court of First Instance.
The Superior Court of Islamabad (IHC) has issued a notice to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) with respect to the acquittal presented by Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, and his wife Bushra Bibi in the New Case of Toshakhana.
The court has sought the response of the FIA on the matter and postponed the hearing until January 28.
Judge Raja Inam Amin Minhas presided over the hearing on acquittals.
During the process, Khan’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, asked the court to remain in the trial procedures. Judge Raja Inam, however, rejected the request and said: “There is no judicial precedent to maintain criminal procedures at this stage. We will issue a notice to your application and listen to the other party. “
Safdar also requested a bank change, which suggests that Judge Gul Hassan Aurengzeb, who had previously heard related requests, should preside over the statements of acquittal.
Justice INAM rejected the request, clarifying that these cases involved bail requests, while the current issue refers to the statements of acquittal. “Those were bail requests, which is a separate matter. This court will listen to this case. Present your arguments about the merits of the case, ”he said.
Safdar also argued that the procedures of the Court of First Instance must be stopped due to the judicial orders in conflict.
Judge INAM replied: “The charges have already been framed in the Court of First Instance, and the statements of the witnesses are being recorded. It would not be appropriate to stop the procedures at this stage. We will issue a notice and not delay the matter for a long time. ”
The FIA has accused the couple of misuse of their positions to retain a set of Bulgari jewels of Toshakhana at a significantly reduced price, supposedly causing substantial losses for the National Treasury.
The jewelry set, equipped by a foreign leader, included a necklace, earrings, bracelets and rings. According to the FIA, the defendant influenced the valuation process to acquire the items at a low cost.
In November, Khan’s legal team rejected the accusations, stating that the gifts were obtained in accordance with the 2018 Toshakhana policy and paid according to the valuations of the officials and customs of customs.
The Toshakhana II case is the third graft reference against former prime minister and his wife. They were accused last month in relation to the purchase of the expensive jewelry set.
Earlier this month, Khan and Bushra Bibi filed statements of acquittal at the IHC, seeking to cancel the November 14 decision of the Central Special Judge, which rejected their request for previous acquittal.
The petitioners argued that the verdict of the Court of First Instance was contrary to the law and sought their acquittal of the case.
