ISLAMABAD: On Saturday, Imran Khan, the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), filed a petition with the Supreme Court requesting that his conviction in the Toshakhana case be suspended until the final judgment on his appeal is handed down by the high court in the federal capital.
Using Advocate Latif Khosa as his legal representative, Imran filed an appeal against the decision made by the Islamabad High Court (IHC). He emphasized that contesting this ruling is his prerogative and contended that being declared ineligible before to the elections violates his fundamental rights.
The founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) voiced his worries with the electoral commission’s hasty judgment, which he argued exhibited bias.
Imran made a motion to the highest court in the land to overturn the decision made by the IHC and to put the sentencing in the Toshakhana case on hold.
Underscoring the importance of the forthcoming general elections, the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) urged the highest court to speed up the proceedings, expressing the urgency of the situation. It was emphasized by him that the leader of the “largest political party” in the country should not be prevented from taking part in the electoral process. He also urged that the decision regarding the Toshakhana case be put on hold so that he may take part in the election.
Imran has withdrawn from the election race for the time being.
The motion that Imran submitted on Tuesday to have his conviction in the gift repository case suspended was denied by the high court in the capital city. The chance of the founder of the PTI running for office in the forthcoming general elections, which are due to take place on February 8, 2024, has been virtually eliminated as a result of this order.
A division bench of the International Humanitarian Court (IHC) that was chaired by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and included Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri revealed its verdict regarding the plea submitted by the former Prime Minister, who requested that the IHC amend its decision from August 28.
Toshkhana, the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was found guilty of misusing the state’s gift repository at a trial that took place on August 5. He was sentenced to three years in prison for his conviction. Due to the fact that Imran was convicted, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) decided on August 8 to disqualify him from serving as a lawmaker.
In response to the order issued by the trial court, the former premier filed a petition with the International Humanitarian Court (IHC). On August 28, a division of the IHC consisting of Justice Farooq and Justice Jahangiri suspended his sentence.
The case of Toshakhana
Imran and Bushra are accused of keeping presents that they received on their official visits to other countries while Imran was serving as prime minister. This is the central claim that has been made against them. Instead of following the formal etiquette that was mandated, which was to deposit these gifts in the Toshakhana, the couple allegedly kept them and deposited an amount that was less than the stipulated value into the national treasury.
According to the allegations, Bushra in particular is accused of keeping a variety of jewelry pieces that were given to her as gifts during official visits. A locket, two rings, two ear tips, and two bracelets were delivered on June 26, 2019, and are included on the list of gifts that are purportedly being kept by the recipient. According to reports, she purchased a diamond-studded gold necklace, ring, bracelet, and ear toppers in the year 2020. In the year 2021, the list was enlarged to include a bracelet, ring, earrings, and necklace in addition to the others.
