In a notable legal move, Pakistan’s Supreme Court will assess the plea from ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan, also head of the PTI party. This plea questions the Islamabad High Court’s ruling to shift the Toshakhana case to Judge Humayun Dilawar, who previously sentenced Khan to three years in jail, leading to his removal from office.
The appeal’s judging panel comprises Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel. The plea aims to pause the trial court’s proceedings in the corruption case.
Imran Khan’s legal team contends that the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court, Aamer Farooq, incorrectly interpreted the submissions in deciding to reassign the case to a different trial judge rather than Assistant Sessions Judge (ASJ) Humayun Dilawar.
The appeal claims the Islamabad High Court quickly sent the case back to trial without fully assessing the relocation request. The legal team also criticizes Judge Humayun Dilawar’s rushed trial for not addressing key points from the petitioner’s counsel.
Furthermore, Imran Khan’s legal representatives assert that the Islamabad High Court’s judgment infringes upon the petitioner’s fundamental rights.
Earlier this month, Assistant Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar handed down a verdict against Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case. The judgment resulted in the former prime minister’s imprisonment for three years, along with a five-year disqualification from holding public office. A monetary fine of 100,000 Pakistani Rupees was also imposed.
The court’s ruling established that there was substantial evidence to support the criminal charges against the ex-premier, leading to the announcement of the three-year jail sentence.
This is a crucial moment for Pakistan’s legal landscape. The Supreme Court is reviewing the previous verdict’s validity. The result will greatly affect Imran Khan and the political situation.