A District and Sessions Court of Islamabad has adjourned the hearing of a Toshakhana case without any proceeding Saturday.

Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal heard the petition filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) seeking an early hearing of the case, after the court had adjourned the hearing till April 29 on March 30.

ECP’s lawyer Amjad Pervaiz appeared before the court, while a junior lawyer represented Imran Khan in today’s hearing. He argued that neither his client nor any senior lawyer representing the former Prime Minister received notices for the hearing.

Moreover, the police also failed to submit the compliance report of the notice to Imran Khan in court.

Following that, the hearing was adjourned till April 11.

Exemption from appearance plea approved

The court has approved PTI chairman Imran Khan’s plea seeking exemption from personal appearance before it in the Toshakhana case.

The court has also adjourned the hearing till April 29.

Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal of the District and Sessions Courts of Islamabad heard the case against the former Prime Minister on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, Imran’s lawyers filed a petition seeking an exemption from appearance.

Imran’s representative Faisal Chaudhry argued in the court that even today (Thursday) there is a strike at Islamabad Bar and the strike has been going on for three days.

At this, Amjad Parvez said if Imran Khan was also part of the protest, adding that it was just for the suspect to ensure his attendance in court during the trial.

He said the PTI chief should have appeared before the court even if his lawyers wanted to join the protest.

Imran’s lawyer replied that his client was facing threats and the government had also withdrawn his security. He pleaded with the court to accept the exemption plea.

Later, Judge Zafar Iqbal accepted the exemption plea and adjourned the hearing till April 29.

Toshakhana case

An Islamabad district and sessions court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Imran Khan over persistent absences in the Toshakhana case on February 28. Earlier, the court had twice deferred the former premier’s indictment on medical grounds.

Additional District and Sessions Court judge Zafar Iqbal had adjourned the hearing of the case till March 7.

The reference was filed by lawmakers from the ruling coalition, Pakistan Democratic Movement, last year. It alleges that Imran had not shared details of the state gifts he retained from the Toshaskhana (during his time as the prime minister) and proceeds from their reported sales.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) concluded on October 21 that ex-PM Imran 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.

The country’s top electoral authority’s order had said Imran stood disqualified under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution.

“He is for the time being disqualified from being elected or chosen as a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) or of a Provincial Assembly under any law for the time being in force,” said the law which falls under the Disqualifications for membership of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament).

Later, the ECP approached the Islamabad district and session the court with a copy of the reference. It sought proceedings against Imran under criminal law for allegedly misleading officials about the state gifts he received from foreign dignitaries during his time as the prime minister.