ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani high court will announce its verdict today, Friday, in a case revolving around former Prime Minister Imran Khan unlawfully selling state gifts given to him by foreign dignitaries while in office, a judgment that could see the ex-premier disqualified from politics.
In October last year, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) barred Khan from holding public office in what is popularly called the Toshakhana case, and sought criminal proceedings against the ex-PM from the Islamabad High Court.
The Toshakhana, or state repository, is a department under the Cabinet Division that stores gifts given to rulers and government officials by heads of other governments and foreign dignitaries.
On Thursday, the Islamabad High Court, which is hearing a set of petitions in the case, reserved its verdict.
“During the hearing [on Thursday], [IHC Chief Justice Aamer] Farooq heard arguments on the petitions by Imran’s lawyers Khawaja Haris and Gohar Khan. ECP counsel Amjad Pervaiz also presented his stance on the matter,” Dawn reported. “The IHC CJ then reserved the verdict on the petitions, saying that the judgment will be announced tomorrow (Friday).”
A ruling against Khan will add to the political and economic uncertainty plaguing Pakistan since last year when he was ousted from power, and supporters took to the streets in different cities in protest, blocking roads and highways and setting tires on fire. His arrest in May this year in a land graft case also led to nationwide violent protests. He is currently out on bail and faced a spate of legal challenges, including on charges of murder, sedition and corruption. He says the cases are politically motivated.
