The Supreme Court of Pakistan has recently rejected Imran Khan’s plea seeking a stay on the ongoing trial court proceedings in the Toshakhana case.
The bench comprising Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Mazhar Ali Akbar Nakvi, and Justice Musarrat Hilali, heard Khan’s plea, seeking permission to appeal against the Islamabad High Court’s order under Article 185(3) of the Constitution.
Meanwhile, the head of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had previously sought the top court’s intervention to suspend trial court proceedings in the Toshakhana reference, including jurisdictional questions, pending a final decision on his pending applications by the IHC.
During the hearing, Justice Yahya Afridi informed Imran’s counsel, Khwaja Haris, that the court had directed the High Court to collectively hear the counsel’s pending appeals in the Toshakhana case.
Allegations were made by lawmakers of the ruling coalition in the case reference, accusing Imran Khan of not disclosing details of gifts he had retained during his tenure as Pakistan’s Prime Minister.
Previously, the Election Commission of Pakistan had suspended the proceedings against Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case.
The next hearing, where charges are expected to be framed against Imran Khan, is scheduled for August 22.
Last year, the ECP initiated disciplinary proceedings against Imran Khan, PTI leader Asad Umar, and former Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry for allegedly using “abusive” language against the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioner.
