ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) declared on Tuesday its intention to submit a reference to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) against Chief Justice Aamer Farooq of the Islamabad High Court (IHC). This decision follows the refusal of a bench led by the judge to suspend the sentence of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case.
In an official statement, the PTI Core Committee, responsible for managing the party’s affairs during the party chairman’s incarceration, strongly criticized the adjournment of the case by the IHC until Thursday, August 24th.
PTI to File Reference Against IHC Chief Justice Over Imran Khan’s Sentence
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced its intent to file a reference with the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) against Chief Justice Aamer Farooq of the Islamabad High Court (IHC). This move comes in response to the IHC bench’s decision not to suspend the sentence of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case.
In a statement, the PTI Core Committee, currently managing party affairs due to the party chairman’s incarceration, strongly criticized the IHC’s adjournment of the case until Thursday, August 24th.
The PTI expressed its determination to ensure the independence of the judiciary and called on Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial to take notice of the IHC CJ’s handling of the case. They also requested that the IHC Chief Justice recuse himself from the case immediately.
The party accused the Islamabad High Court’s Chief Justice of trivializing the principles of law and justice and claimed that the delay in delivering justice amounted to an injustice. They alleged that today’s adjournment was a continuation of a series of retaliatory actions against the party’s chief.
During the hearing, the IHC bench turned down the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) request for a two-week extension to gather case records and prepare arguments. Instead, the hearing was adjourned to August 24th.
The Toshakhana case involves allegations that former Prime Minister Imran Khan misused his position to buy and sell gifts received during official visits abroad. Khan was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison on August 5, 2023, which could potentially impact his eligibility to participate in upcoming elections.
Under Toshakhana rules, government officials can retain low-value gifts and pay a reduced fee to the government for extravagant items. The case centers on the alleged purchase and sale of gifts worth more than Rs140 million ($635,000) during Khan’s premiership. It includes expensive wristwatches, including Rolex, and other items.
The Election Commission had previously declared Khan guilty of corrupt practices in this matter, leading to the legal proceedings and subsequent conviction.
