An Islamabad sessions court stated on Tuesday that charges against PTI chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana reference will be framed on February 7.
\nThe reference was filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) last year, asking the court to proceed against Imran under criminal law for allegedly misleading officials about the gifts he received from foreign dignitaries during his tenure as the prime minister. It claimed that Imran had \u201cdeliberately concealed his assets relating to Toshakhana gifts retained by him particularly in the year 2018 and 2019 [\u2026] in the statements of assets and liabilities filed for the year 2017-2018 and 2018-19\u201d.
\nThe Toshakhana is a department under the Cabinet Division that stores gifts given to rulers and government officials by heads of other governments and foreign dignitaries
\nThe ECP had requested that the PTI chief be convicted for the offences mentioned under Sections 167 (corrupt practice) and 173 (making or publishing a false statement or declaration) of the Elections Act 2017.
\nAt the previous hearing, the court had reserved its judgement on ECP\u2019s petition.
\nOn Tuesday morning, Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal pronounced the verdict with PTI lawyer Ali Bukhari and ECP counsel Advocate Saad Hasan in attendance.
\nMeanwhile, the PTI chief \u2014 who is recuperating after sustaining a gunshot wound following an assassination bid during a rally on Nov 3 \u2014 sought exemption from today\u2019s hearing.
\nAt the onset of the hearing today, the court asked Bukhari where Imran\u2019s power of attorney was. Here, ECP\u2019s counsel Hasan said that the power of attorney can not be presented until \u201cImran Khan comes to court himself.\u201d
\nHowever, the PTI contended that Imran\u2019s medical certificate had been submitted in court. \u201cGive me five minutes, Barrister Gohar is just about to reach [the court],\u201d he said.
\nThe judge then instructed Bukhari to submit Imran\u2019s power of attorney today.
\nAt one point during the hearing, an argument erupted between the lawyers of the PTI and ECP after which Advocate Hasan requested the court to issue arrest warrants for the former premier.
\nSubsequently, Judge Iqbal directed Imran to submit surety bonds worth Rs20,000 and instructed him to ensure in-person attendance in court at the next hearing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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