Toshakhana case: IHC voids sessions court’s maintainability verdict

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Friday declared the session court’s maintainability verdict in the Toshakhana case against Imran Khan “void”.

“The session court should hear and decide again,” the IHC said.

Meanwhile, the court has also rejected Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman (PTI) Imran Khan’s request to transfer the case to another court.

It also issued a notice on the application against the decision to reject the list of witnesses.

“Additional Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar will hear the case,” the verdict read.

Petition dismissed by SC

The Supreme Court had earlier in the day dismissed the ex-prime minister’s petition against trial proceedings pertaining to the Toshakhana case following his withdrawal of the said plea.

The three-member bench hearing the case, led by Justice Yahya Afridi and comprising Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Musarat Hilali, heard Khan’s petition against the Toshakhana case.

Read more: Toshakhana case: IHC reserves verdict on PTI chairman’s plea

“The trial court cannot decide on the Toshakhana case until the final decision of the High Court,” the bench ruled.

Earlier this week, the apex court had turned away Khan, asking him to await a verdict from the IHC.

“We believe that the high court can issue a better order than us. It is possible that it will give the order to stop the trial tomorrow,” he had said on Wednesday.

What is the Toshakhana case?

Under the rules governing Toshakhana — a Persian word meaning “treasure house” — government officials can keep gifts if they have a low worth, while they must pay a dramatically reduced fee to the government for extravagant items.

The Toshakhana has been under a microscope ever since the emergence of the allegations that Khan purchased the gifts he received as prime minister at throwaway rates and sold them off in the open market for staggering profits.

The 70-year-old cricketer-turned-politician was accused of misusing his 2018 to 2022 premiership to buy and sell gifts in state possession that were received during visits abroad and worth more than Rs140 million ($635,000).

The gifts included watches given by a royal family, according to government officials, who have alleged previously that Khan’s aides sold them in Dubai.

The gifts included seven wristwatches, six made by watchmaker Rolex, and the most expensive a “Master Graff limited edition” valued at 85 million Pakistani rupees ($385,000).

The election commission’s order had said Imran stood disqualified under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution.