Islamabad High Court Hears Plea in Toshakhana II Case
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday heard a petition filed by former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, along with his wife Bushra Bibi, seeking to halt the proceedings in the ongoing Toshakhana II case, which has recently entered its final phase as detailed in this related report on News Alert.
During the hearing, Khan’s lawyer, Barrister Salman Safdar, urged the court to stop the trial court from announcing its final verdict, arguing that the defence had not been given a fair opportunity to present its case. The petition signals another legal battle for the embattled PTI leader, who remains at the center of multiple court proceedings.
Defence Argues Lack of Fair Trial
Barrister Safdar informed the bench that the Toshakhana II case had reached its final stages. He reminded the court that requests for acquittal had already been filed by the defendants last year, yet the trial court had proceeded without providing a sufficient hearing.
“The trial court is rushing to conclude the case,” Safdar told the judge. “Questionnaires have been issued and responses are being demanded at short notice. This raises concern that a verdict may be announced imminently.”
The defence contended that such an approach violates the defendants’ right to a fair trial. Safdar drew parallels with the cipher case — another ongoing matter involving Khan — claiming that his client was similarly denied a chance to record his statement in that case.
Reference to Previous Bail Decision
During the arguments, Barrister Safdar cited an earlier judgment by former IHC judge Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb, who granted bail to both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. He argued that the principles established in that order supported the defence’s position that due process must be followed in all related proceedings.
The Toshakhana II case stems from allegations that Khan and his wife improperly retained and sold state gifts received during his tenure as prime minister. The case follows the original Toshakhana reference, which led to Khan’s conviction in 2023 before being suspended by a higher court.
Court Takes Notice and Adjourns Hearing
Justice Raja Inam Ameen Minhas, presiding over the hearing, acknowledged the petition and said the court would take notice of the concerns raised. He announced that a new date for the next hearing would be set later, effectively postponing immediate action in the trial court.
While the IHC did not issue a stay order at this stage, it took the defence’s plea seriously. Legal observers described the court’s response as a significant relief for Khan’s team, at least temporarily easing pressure from the lower court.
Legal Context and Broader Implications
The Toshakhana — a government department responsible for cataloguing gifts given to public officials — has been at the centre of several corruption-related controversies in Pakistan. The term “Toshakhana case” generally refers to allegations that high-ranking officials failed to declare or properly deposit gifts received from foreign dignitaries.
Imran Khan, who was ousted from power through a parliamentary vote of no confidence in April 2022, has faced a series of legal challenges since his removal. Alongside the Toshakhana and cipher cases, he has been implicated in several other corruption and contempt proceedings. His party maintains that these cases are politically motivated and designed to sideline him ahead of future elections.
If the trial court were to issue a quick verdict in the Toshakhana II case, it could further complicate Khan’s chances of political rehabilitation. However, the High Court’s willingness to examine the petition gives his legal team some breathing room to prepare a fuller defence.
Next Steps
The Islamabad High Court is expected to set a new date for the continuation of the hearing in the coming days. Until then, both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi remain under legal scrutiny, with their defence team pushing for what they describe as a “fair and transparent trial process.”
The outcome of this petition could influence the pace of several ongoing cases involving the former prime minister — and potentially shape his political future in Pakistan’s turbulent judicial and political landscape.
