A District and Sessions Court in Islamabad has adjourned the hearing of the Toshakhana criminal case once again without any proceeding due to the absence of Khawaja Haris.

The court accepted the petition of PTI Chairman Imran Khan seeking exemption from appearance today (Wednesday) and sought arguments on the maintainability of the petition at the next hearing.

Additional Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar heard the Toshakhana case against Imran Khan.

Imran Khan’s lawyer Faisal Chaudhry and Barrister Gohar appeared before the court and filed an exemption from appearance plea.

Faisal Chaudhry argued in the court that Khawaja Haris could not appear in the court as he is busy with the Supreme Court stuff, the hearing of the case should be postponed till May 5.

The ECP’s lawyer requested Imran Khan’s lawyers to take an undertaking to argue.

The court adjourned the hearing till May 5, directing to argue on the petition being heard on the next hearing.

Previous hearing

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.

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.