A district and sessions court in Islamabad rejected Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s plea seeking cancellation of the non-bailable arrest warrant issued for him in the Toshakhana case.
Session Court Judge Zafar Iqbal announced the verdict which he had reserved earlier in the day after a brief hearing of the arguments in the case.
Also Read: PEMRA Imposes Ban on Coverage of Imran Khan Speeches & Press Conferences
During today’s hearing, Imran Khan’s lawyers Ali Bukhari, Qaiser Imam, and Gohar Ali Khan appeared before the court.
Ali Bukhari said that his client has always followed court orders. While Lawyer Imam argued that if Imran Khan is willing to appear then the police cannot arrest him.
In response judge, Zafar Iqbal remarked that the PTI chief could have approached the Islamabad High Court for the suspension of the warrant.
However, Lawyer Imam told the judge that they want the session court to suspend the Imran Khan arrest warrant. While Bukhari added that the PTI chief was at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore.
“Imran Khan wants to know a way he can appear in court,” said Bukhari.
Imam added that a private complaint was registered against the PTI chief under the Election Act 2017. He argued that usually arrest warrants are not issued on a private complaint and urged the court to suspend the warrant.
The judge remarked that the PTI chief’s lawyer had informed them that their client will not appear in court.
After which the judge reserved the verdict on the petition.
Remember that On 28th February, Additional sessions judge Zafar Iqbal of an Islamabad court issued the former prime minister’s non-bailable arrest warrant over his non-appearance. After which Yesterday, an Islamabad police team reached Lahore to arrest Khan but the police party was resisted by the PTI workers in Zaman Park.
Today The PTI chief has also approached the Lahore High Court for post-arrest bail in the case.
Toshakhana Case
Toshakhana is a word of Persian origin that literally translates into “treasure house”.
The Toshakhana issue became a major issue in national politics after the Election Commission of Pakistan disqualified the PTI chief for making “false statements and incorrect declaration” last month.
The judgment added that the former premier was found to be indulged in corrupt practices under sections 167 and 173 of the constitution. “A criminal proceeding will be initiated against him over filing a false statement.”
“As per the statement of Imran Khan he had purchased the gifts from Toshakhana paying 21.564 million rupees while the Cabinet Division said that the gifts had a value of 107.943 million.”
The gifts include
- Rolex wristwatch no. M228206-0036, 43.6470
- Rolex wristwatch no. M126331-0014, 2G367435
- Rolex wristwatch no. M1I6700LS001,(999927K8) Oyster S
- One iPhone presented by Qatar’s army chief dated 14/11/2018
- Rolex wristwatch no. Yacht-Master, Oyster, Serial no.068A7072. Model 116680
- Rolex wristwatch (No.E67574V3), pair of cufflinks, one ring, and unstitched cloth of pants and coat from the crown prince of Saudi Arabia dated 18/09/2020.
- Graff gift set containing one Graff wristwatch Master Graff Special Edition Mecca Timepiece, One 18K gold and diamond Graff Pen, ring, and pair of cufflinks with a micro painting of Mecca.
