Ahmed Mukhtar Naqshbandi
ISLAMABAD: A local court would indict PTI Chairman Imran Khan in Tosha Khana reference on February 7.
A district and sessions court on Tuesday started hearing the Tosha Khana case and later decided to indict Imran Khan in Toshakhana reference on February 7. The court also asked PTI chairman Imran Khan to submit Rs20,000 surety bonds.
Imran Khan was not present in the court being in Lahore for medical reasons.
During the proceedings, the court asked Ali Bukhari, Imran’s lawyer, where the Imran Khan’s power of attorney was, with the Election Commission of Pakistan lawyer, stating that the power of attorney could not be submitted until Imran comes to the court.
Bukhari argued that Imran’s medical certificate had been submitted during the last hearing suggesting his inability to come to court. The court advised Ali Bukhari to submit the power of attorney.
The Election Commission of Pakistan’s lawyer, however, said that the power of attorney could not be issued until surety bonds were submitted. This led to a harsh exchange of words between the ECP and Imran’s lawyers.
Lawyer Ali Bukhari told the ECP lawyer to not talk to him directly, but rather talk to the court. The ECP lawyer pleaded that the court issue arrest warrant for Imran Khan. The court, however, announced its decision to indict Imran Khan on February 7 before adjourning the hearing.
Earlier, the additional sessions court had accepted Khan’s plea for exemption from appearing before the court for the hearing of the Election Commission of Pakistan’s plea for starting criminal proceedings against Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case.
District and Sessions Judge Islamabad Zafar Iqbal had summoned the PTI chairman in his personal capacity, however, Imran filed a request for exemption from attendance based on medical grounds. The request was however, accepted by the court.
