ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has concluded the proceedings on a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan seeking the suspension of the sentence announced by the trial court’s Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Humayun Dilawar in the Toshakhana case.
The IHC, headed by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, reserved its verdict after a hearing that was adjourned last Friday due to the absence of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) lawyer.
The ECP counsel, Amjad Parvez, was unable to attend the hearing on Friday due to health reasons, but he appeared in court today to present his arguments in the case. The IHC has set the announcement of the verdict for tomorrow (Tuesday) at 11am.
In a previous hearing, the court had directed the ECP lawyer to present arguments on Monday, expressing frustration at his absence. The IHC also instructed the electoral authority to arrange for alternate representation in light of the lawyer’s unavailability. Chief Justice Aamer Farooq had emphasized the critical stage of the request for suspension of sentence.
The IHC Chief Justice adjourned the case’s hearing, noting that the verdict would be delivered in the next hearing even if no one is present. During the last hearing, PTI’s lawyer, Latif Khosa, completed his arguments.
Earlier this month, the court sentenced Imran Khan to three years in prison and a fine of Rs 100,000. He appealed against the sentence and asked the IHC to exonerate him, as well as to suspend his sentence. At the same time, EKP filed an individual action against Khan in the same Toshacany case.
