An Islamabad district and sessions court deferred for a second time on Tuesday PTI chairman Imran Khan’s indictment in the Toshakhana reference on medical grounds as the judge remarked that if this delay continued, his trial would continue indefinitely. Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Zafar Iqbal has instructed Imran to appear before the court in person on Feb 28. On Jan 31, the court had announced that charges against the PTI chief who is recuperating after sustaining a gunshot wound following an assassination attempt during a rally on Nov 3 would take place in the reference on Feb 7. However, in the previous hearing, Imran’s lawyers filed an exemption plea for a personal appearance in court, after which the ex-premier’s indictment was delayed to today.

The reference, which alleges that Imran failed to share details of the gifts he retained from the Toshaskhana (during his time as the prime minister) and proceeds from their reported sales, was filed by lawmakers from the ruling coalition last year. On October 21, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had concluded that the former premier had made “false statements and incorrect declarations” regarding the gifts. The Toshakhana is a department under the Cabinet Division that stores gifts given to rulers and government officials by heads of other governments and foreign dignitaries. According to Toshakhana rules, gifts/presents and other such materials received by persons to whom these rules apply shall be reported to the Cabinet Division.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP