A district and sessions court in Islamabad on Monday issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for PTI chairman Imran Khan in the judge ‘threat’ case.
The PTI chairman on 20th August condemned police as well as the judiciary over the alleged custodial torture of Shahbaz Gill and announced that his party would file cases against Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan, the DIG and Additional district session judge Zeba Chaudhry.
Also Read: Imran Khan Pleaded Islamabad High Court for Video link hearing in Pending Cases
In today’s hearing Civil Judge Rana Mujahid Rahim in the morning adjourned hearing for an hour to ensure Imran Khan appears before the court.
Judge says, “I would issue a non-bailable arrest warrant for Imran Khan if he did not appear in court during the specified time.”
Imran Khan’s lawyer Naeem Panjutha stated that due to security fears, the PTI chief has requested for exemption from appearing in court.
Remember that, the court summoned Imran Khan on Monday to submit copies of the case. A case was also registered against him by the Margalla police station.
Earlier IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq accepted the PTI chief’s plea against Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal’s decision and directed Khan to ensure that he appears before the lower court on March 13.
Today as Court resume its hearing after a break, Judge demanded where is Imran khan.
To which Imran Khan’s lawyer said that he will not appear before keeping this in view the court issued his non-bailable arrest warrant and ordered to present the PTI chief before the court on 29th March.
Toshakhana Case
A district and sessions court on Monday issued Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s non-bailable arrest warrant in the Toshakhana case.
Earlier Islamabad court reserved its verdict on a petition filed by the former prime minister seeking an exemption from the hearing of the case. On the last hearing, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspended the non-bailable arrest warrant for Imran Khan issued by the local court issued due to the PTI chief’s continuous absence from the case hearing.
Last week IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq accepted the PTI chief’s plea against Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal’s decision and directed Khan to ensure that he appears before the lower court on 13th March 2023.
However, during today’s hearing, Imran Khan’s lawyer filed an exemption plea claiming security threats and failed to appear before the court once again. While rejecting Imran Khan’s exemption plea, the court issued orders to arrest the PTI chief and present him before the court on 18th March.
Court remarked that “It is the police’s job to bring Imran Khan to the court”
Toshakhana
Toshakhana is a word of Persian origin that literally translates into “treasure house”.
In Pakistan, Toshakhana is a term used to refer to the state treasury, where gifts and presents received by the President, Prime Minister, or other high-level government officials are kept. The Toshakhana is managed by the Cabinet Division of the Government of Pakistan, and the gifts received by government officials are stored there for safekeeping.
The Toshakhana in Pakistan was established during the British colonial era and has been in operation ever since. The gifts received by government officials can range from simple tokens of appreciation to expensive and valuable items such as jewelry, cars, watches, and even animals.
According to Pakistan law, whenever a head of state receives a gift from another state or country, they have to commit it to the Toshakhana. If they wish to keep the gift, they have to pay a certain percentage of the value of the gift decided by relevant authorities.
The Toshakhana issue became a major issue in Pakistan’s 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.
