The Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) has issued a report detailing its assessment of the recently-concluded general election, expressing deep concerns over a decline in fairness scores compared to previous election cycles.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday once again adjourned the hearing of a case pertaining to the suspension of a three-year jail term of former premier Imran Khan — currently incarcerated in Attock Jail — in the Toshakhana case.
Today, Advocate Amjad Pervaiz, the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP’s) lawyer, was expected to conclude his arguments. However, he failed to appear due to being “extremely unwell” — as stated by a member of his team — following which the IHC adjourned the hearing till August 28 (Monday).
On August 5, a trial court in Islamabad convicted the PTI chief in the case filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that involved concealing details of state gifts and jailed him for three years.
The verdict meant he was disqualified from contesting general elections for five years. Imran had subsequently filed an appeal in the high court against his conviction.
He had also approached the apex court against the IHC’s decision to remand the case back to the trial court judge who had convicted him.
A day ago, Imran’s counsel Latif Khosa had argued before an IHC division bench, focusing on three aspects: the release of Imran owing to a short sentence, jurisdictional defects and improper authorisation by the ECP.
Subsequently, Khosa, Salman Akram Raja and Barrister Ali Gohar completed their arguments from Imran’s side.
However, the ECP lawyer had argued against the suspension of the sentence, asserting that the superior courts could suspend the sentence of those condemned prisoners who have at least completed six months imprisonment.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court had reiterated its decision to halt proceedings on Imran’s plea until the IHC’s decision. The apex court also took everyone by surprise as it ordered Attorney-General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan to furnish an official report about the living conditions of Imran by August 28.
Today, a division bench comprising IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri presided over the hearing.
Khosa, Salman Akram Raja, Babar Awan, Barrister Gohar Khan and Shoaib Shaheen were among Imran’s legal team that appeared in court. Imran’s sisters Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan were present in the courtroom as well.
However, Pervaiz, the ECP lawyer, failed to appear due to being “extremely unwell” and his assistant lawyer appeared instead.
Subsequently, the IHC adjourned the hearing till Monday (August 28).
After the hearing concluded, Khosa, along with other people, got stuck in an elevator at the IHC. His assistant lawyer, Suzane Jahan, protested that “no one is taking action” even after she complained to the administration.
More than half an hour later, the trapped persons were rescued from the elevator safely after collective efforts from lawyers and a rescue team that was specifically called to resolve the issue.
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