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Toshakhana, £190mn cases: IHC seeks reply from NAB on Imran’s pleas challenging jail trial

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  • Imran Khan challenges appointment of accountability judge as well.
  • Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, Arbab Tahir hear the case.
  • Only former PM’s cases are being expedited, says Latif Khosa.

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday issued a notice to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and secretary interior on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s pleas challenging his jail trial in the references pertaining to Toshakhana gift and £190 million embezzlement, Geo News reported.

Declaring the pleas admissible, the IHC has sought a reply from the NAB and secretary by January 22 (Monday). The high court directed to fix the case for hearing on Monday before the available bench. 

IHC Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Arbab Tahir conducted the hearing of the petitions.

The PTI founder’s lawyer, Latif Khosa said the National Accountability Court (NAB) filed the Toshakhana case in the accountability court on November 20 and the prison trial notification was issued a month prior to the filing of the reference.

“Hearing into the Toshakhana reference has been being held daily since December 23, 2023. The relevant court’s judge has to begin the jail trial process as per the law and this court has issued an order regarding implementation of that process,” he said.

Justice Miangul Hassan asked why he challenged the notification so late as it was issued in November and he filed a plea against the notification in January.

The PTI founder’s lawyer replied they came to know about the reference after a summon was issued to his client.

Justice Miangul Miangul said they only had to ensure that the case’s process was right. It did not matter for them if the trial was held in the court or jail, he said.

Khosa said there was no suggestion from the concerned judge and he did not direct to hold prison trial for security reasons.

The IHC judge said a short order in this regard was already available. It was a judicial order that should have been seen, he added. 

Khosa asked if the federal government was positive that reference would be lodged, while it could have been dropped too.

On this occasion, Imran Khan challenged the appointment of the accountability judge as well.

Khosa said the judge was appointed on deputation and his retirement was closer. The judge was holding hearing on a daily basis to settle the trial, he said.

The lawyer said only the former prime minister’s cases were being expedited, while there was no progress on the rest of the cases.

Justice Miangul said Toshakhana was a safe of the government and the federal cabinet secretary was its keeper. The cabinet secretary had opened Toshakhana’s door for all, he said.

He said the articles kept in Toshakhana were put on sale, from 20% to 50% off. An order would be passed regarding this issue, he said adding that the gifts were state properties and they should remain with it.

The IHC judge said the politicians should better start returning the gifts to the state.

On January 9, an accountability court had indicted Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana reference filed against them by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The decision was announced during a hearing in Adiala jail — where the former prime minister is currently incarcerated in the case.

A five-member special prosecution team of the anti-graft watchdog had perused the reference against the duo.

Accountability court Judge Muhammad Bashir had conducted the hearing of Toshakhana and £190 million cases in the prison. 

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PTI will declare February 8 to be “Black Day,” sparking protests across the country.

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According to reports, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) intends to hold rallies nationwide on Wednesday in support of its decision to declare February 8, the one-year anniversary of the general elections, a black day.

According to media sources, PTI founder Imran Khan has instructed all party lawmakers—including MPAs and MNAs—to plan and take part in demonstrations in their local communities on February 8 in order to draw attention to their complaints and issues.

In a recent meeting with legal advisors on Wednesday, Imran Khan expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the party’s Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram. The meeting emphasized the importance of party discipline and gave stern directives to abstain from any criticism of Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the head of the JUI-F.

It has also been suggested that the PTI engage opposition leaders in the demonstrations in order to win their support.

Party insiders revealed that the founder has urged leaders to ensure effective coordination and mobilised efforts in preparation for February 8.

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In 13 cases involving the D-Chowk demonstration, Bushra Bibi granted temporary release until February 7.

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Bushra Bibi, the wife of the PTI chairman, was granted temporary release by the Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in 13 counts pertaining to the November 26 D-Chowk protest. Judge Tahir Abbas Supra ordered the police to produce all pertinent documentation by February 7 and granted bail against surety bonds of Rs. 5,000 apiece.

Additionally, Bushra Bibi was given temporary release until February 7 in the Rangers’ accident case. During the hearing, Judge Tahir Abbas Supra expressed disappointment over the behavior of the defense counsel on two occasions. Addressing the lawyers, he remarked, “You demand VIP protocol everywhere, but this is not possible. Prepare your files properly before coming to court.”

Three cases at the Secretariat Police Station, two each at the Margalla, Karachi Company, and Ramna Police Stations, and one each at the Tarnol, Kohsar, Aabpara, and Khanna Police Stations are among the numerous charges against Bushra Bibi.

In addition, the judge chastised the defense team for requesting that Bushra Bibi sign and thumbprint blank documents. He said, “The accused must sign and thumbprint the court orders, not blank sheets.”

Bushra Bibi also went to the Islamabad High Court to have her biometrics verified in relation to her appeal to be exonerated in the Toshakhana-II case. On Monday, Bushra Bibi and the PTI chairman submitted their acquittal petitions. After finishing the biometric procedure, she departed right away.

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Maryam and Khawaja Asif are accused by Qaiser of undermining PTI-government negotiations.

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Concerned about the way the government is managing the matter, Asad Qaiser, the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has accused Maryam Nawaz and Khawaja Asif of trying to sabotage the ongoing negotiations.

In reaction to remarks made by Maryam Nawaz and Khawaja Asif, the former Speaker of the National Assembly stated that the administration is making contradictory assertions about the negotiations.

Maryam Nawaz and Khawaja Asif, he continued, seem to be trying to undermine the negotiations. Qaiser emphasized that despite the obstacles, PTI had worked to advance for Pakistan’s benefit.

He apologized for Maryam Nawaz’s and Khawaja Asif’s comments, saying that PTI had lowered its demands in order to assist the nation in progressing.

Qaiser asserted that the country as a whole supported PTI founder Imran Khan and that their efforts were all focused on bettering Pakistan’s circumstances.

In light of Pakistan’s present economic difficulties, Asad Qaiser emphasized that the PTI’s actions were motivated by a feeling of duty to the nation.

The party had just modified its demands to serve the nation, he made plain, and it was not frightened of anyone. Imran Khan, the founder of the PTI, had been promised a meeting with the government, but Qaiser claims that other excuses are now being offered.

He emphasized that PTI wanted the nation to be governed by the rule of law, with a strong parliament, an independent judiciary, and civilian supremacy. According to Qaiser, the party was dedicated to making sure that the people’s desire was followed when governing Pakistan.

Lastly, he noted that Imran Khan was becoming a prominent figure on a global scale in addition to being a leader in Pakistan. Even though incarceration was difficult for him, Imran Khan was making sacrifices for the future of the country.

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