• ATC grants five-day physical remand of ex-PM in latest case
• Information minister says protesters to be dealt with ‘iron hand’

ISLAMABAD / RAWALPINDI: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) decided to proceed with appeals against Imran Khan’s conviction on merit after he declined a retrial in the Toshakhana reference related to a Graff jewelry set on Thursday.

Days before the Feb 8 elections, an accountability court had convicted Mr Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the case.

During the previous hearing, NAB’s prosecution had pleaded that the conviction might be set aside and the case remanded to the trial court for a retrial.

The IHC division bench, comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, had asked Mr Khan’s counsel to seek instruction from his client on the offer.

On Thursday, defence counsel Ali Zafar informed the court he was prepared to argue the case on merit. “I will highlight the mistakes made by the prosecution,” Barrister Zafar said.

Barrister Zafar argued against remanding the Toshakhana case, stating, “The prosecution has presented its case and is now retreating. The trial must be decided on merit.”

The lawyer said he would complete his arguments within five to six hours. The court decided to proceed with a merit-based hearing and adjourned the case to Nov 27.

Separately, ATC judge Amjad Ali Shah granted a five-day physical remand of Imran Khan in a case registered on Sept 28.

The police prosecution team had sought a 15-day physical remand in the case.

The ATC court rejected PTI lawyer Salman Safdar’s plea to discharge his client from the case.

The charges include violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act, defying the government ban on public gatherings, obstructing police duty, damaging police vehicles and endangering public safety.

Besides, Imran Khan’s cell in Adiala Jail was declared ‘police station’ and personnel of the Rawalpindi police have been deployed there to perform duty in three shifts.

‘Iron hand’

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the government will not allow any protest in the federal capital, adding that PTI protesters will be dealt with an iron hand on Nov 24.

In a statement, the minister said that the IHC in its order had asked the government not to allow any protest programme and ensure safety of life and properties of people on that day.

He said Imran Khan had announced that he will call off the Nov 24 protest if PTI’s jailed leaders were released.

“In fact, the PTI founder wants an NRO-like (National Reconciliation Ordinance) concessional deal for his release from the jail,” he said.

“The PTI founder’s statement, seeking release to delay protests, reflects his growing anxiety and frustration,” he added.

Mr Tarar said it stood proved now that the “call for chaos on Nov 24 is aimed at securing a deal”.

He said that not only the IHC, but the chief secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has barred all provincial government officials to avoid taking part in any political activity, otherwise a stern action could be taken against them.

“This time the PTI is holding protest when president of Belarus is due in the country on Nov 25. The country suffers over Rs350 billion loss because of one day protest,” he added.

Addressing Imran Khan, the minister further said, “The only deal you’ll get is with the law, which you have violated.”

Another PML-N leader, Rana Sanaullah, said there was no room for any dialogue between the establishment and the PTI.

Syed Irfan Raza in Islamabad also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, November 22nd, 2024