Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan got relief as a local court in the federal capital once again deferred his indictment in the Toshakhana reference on Tuesday.
\nAdditional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal heard the case today filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) last year after it found Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman guilty of corrupt practices.
\nAt the outset of today\u2019s hearing, the legal team of the former premier sought another exemption from personal appearance on medical grounds. Earlier, the court had fixed February 7 as the date for indictment but deferred the matter till today, accepting Imran Khan\u2019s plea for exemption.
\nThe reference was filed by the ECP in November last year, praying the court to proceed against the PTI chief under criminal law for allegedly misleading officials about the gifts he received from foreign dignitaries during his tenure as prime minister.
\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.
\nIt added that as per the record, the state gifts were purchased from the Toshakhana for Rs21.5 million on the basis of their assessed value, while they were valued at around Rs108 million.
\nDuring the hearing today, Imran Khan\u2019s counsel Gohar Ali Khan informed the court that some x-rays are to be conducted of the PTI chairman on February 28.
\nAt this, Judge Zafar Iqbal remarked that exemption pleas are being filed since Feb 9, if this continues, the trial will prolong.
\nTo this, the counsel said the problem is of Imran Khan\u2019s travel to Islamabad.
\nWhen the PTI chief\u2019s lawyer filed a plea seeking exemption, ECP\u2019s representative Saad Hasan objected to it, saying Imran Khan went to the Lahore High Court a day ago.
\nTo this, the judge said that the court can direct PIMS to submit a medical report of Imran Khan\u2019s health status and asked the counsel to show the medico-legal report to ascertain the nature of his injuries.
\n\u201cThe court has summoned Imran Khan in a personal capacity. He is being granted exemption at every time,\u201d the judge noted.
\nGohal Ali Khan then apprised the court that Imran Khan went to the LHC from his Zaman Park residence in Lahore and it took time due to security. \u201cAppearance in Islamabad Katcheri is a bit difficult.\u201d
\nThe doctors have advised Imran Khan to rest, he said, adding that the case is of non-serious nature.
\n\u201cImran Khan did not appear on doctors\u2019 advice and security issues.\u201d
\nThen the court directed the authorities to provide attested copies of the case record to the PTI chief\u2019s counsel.
\nAt that point, the ECP\u2019s lawyer also dropped his objections on the exemption, asking Imran Khan to ensure his presence at the next hearing on February 28.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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