Islamabad court adjourns hearing of Toshakhana case until July 31

Judge Humayun Dilawar of district and sessions court in Islamabad on Thursday said that out of 37 hearings of the Toshakhana reference held so far, former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan had attended just three, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

“The only job of Imran’s lawyers is to file applications for exemption from court appearances,” he remarked during the hearing of Toshakhana case against the PTI chairman.

The judge further said that it was the duty of law-enforcement agencies to make security arrangements in the courts. 

Gohar Ali Khan, Imran’s lawyer, on the occasion, filed in the court yet another application for exemption from court appearance. “This is the last time I have filed the application,” he said, adding, “Please adjourn the hearing until Monday.”

The judge replied that he was going to adjourn the hearing until Monday. “But why are you not giving me an assurance that your client will appear on the next hearing?” he questioned.

Counsel for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Amjad Pervaiz said that as per a verdict of the Supreme Court (SC), suspect’s appearance in the court in a criminal case was mandatory. “The court can exempt him or her from appearance only if it feels convinced that there is a genuine reason for that,” ECP’s counsel said, and added, “The question is out of total 37 hearings, how many times Imran has preferred appearing in the court.”

ECP’s lawyer was of the view that it was unfortunate that previously Imran had concerns over security at courts in sector F-8 of the federal capital. “But now he is also not feeling satisfied with the security situation at new kutchehry,” he added.

PTI chairman’s lawyer on the occasion filed an application, seeking suspension of court proceedings until witnesses’ statements were recorded and proofs were given in the case.

Opposing the move, Counsel for the ECP said that such applications were filed before the completion of cross-examination. “Now when the cross-examination has been done, the court has to given its decision in the light of these statements and proofs,” he argued.

He was of the view that the purpose of filing such applications was to prolong the case’s hearing.  

The court then adjourned hearing of the case until July 31.

Reporter: Farzana Siddique