Imran Khan again skips Toshakhana case hearing despite issuance of arrest warrants
ISLAMABAD (MNP) – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan again fails to appear before a court in the federal capital to attend the hearing in the Toskhakhana case.
The former prime minister has thrice skipped indictment hearings in the district and sessions court in the case initiated at the request of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for concealing the details of gifts he retained from the Toshakhana while in the power.
Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal was set to frame charges against him on Feb 28, but his lawyer sought exemption from the hearing as he had to appear before other courts in the capital city. The judge had then issued non-bailable arrest warrants for the PTI chief and adjourned the hearing till March 7.
Today’s Hearing
At the outset of the hearing, the junior lawyer of the PTI chief, Sardar Masroof Khan, sought time till 10pm for the appearance of the senior legal team. When the judge asked if Mr Khan would attend the hearing, he replied he was unaware of it. The judge also inquired about the appearance of the guarantor in Imran Khan’s bail, saying the guarantor was responsible to ensure presence of the PTI chief in the case. The PTI lawyer said a notice could not be issued to the guarantor until the completion of the process.
Here, the ECP lawyer said Imran Khan’s lawyer should have informed the court about the appearance of Mr Khan in the morning to save time of the court. Later, the court adjourned the hearing till 10am. Prosecution’s Mohsin Shahnawaz and ECP ’s counsel Saad Hasan were also in attendance.
When the judge resumed hearing, another PTI lawyer Sher Afzal Marwat represented informed the court that the senior legal team was in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), adding that he would submit his power of attorney in court within a day or two. Later, he asked the court to adjourn the case till next week.
At which, Judge Zafar Iqbal said the proceedings regarding summons of Imran Khan were under way. Marwat replied that his client was not feeling well.
