The Islamabad High Court (IHC) faced a day of turmoil as protests from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyers erupted, leading to the postponement of a crucial hearing involving PTI chief Imran Khan’s plea against the Toshakhana verdict. The IHC was set to deliberate on Khan’s plea, but the proceedings hit an unexpected roadblock when the lawyer representing the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) failed to make an appearance.
The absence of the ECP’s lawyer, Advocate Amjad Pervaiz, was attributed to health issues, as his assistant informed the court that he was unwell and unavailable for the day’s hearing. This turn of events further fueled the controversy surrounding the case.
Yesterday’s proceedings had also failed to bring relief to Imran Khan, as the IHC declined to suspend a trial court’s order that had sentenced the PTI chairperson to three years in prison. Khan’s conviction was based on charges of providing inaccurate information regarding his assets and liabilities.
The backdrop of this legal saga was marked by the Supreme Court’s (SC) intervention, with the apex court expressing concerns about the verdict issued by Additional Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar on August 5. The SC acknowledged apparent flaws in the trial court’s decision and indicated its willingness to await the IHC’s verdict on a petition lodged by the former prime minister challenging the trial court’s ruling.
The IHC division bench, led by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri, resumed the hearing of Imran Khan’s plea today. However, the absence of the ECP’s legal representative cast a shadow over the proceedings and ignited further debates about the transparency and fairness of the case.
The postponement of the hearing, combined with the ongoing protests and the absence of the ECP lawyer, has elevated the tensions surrounding Imran Khan’s legal battle. As the nation watches closely, questions persist about the course this high-profile case will take and the implications it holds for Pakistan’s political landscape.
