In a significant development, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has temporarily suspended the three-year sentence of former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, in the Toshakhana corruption case. The court’s decision came on Tuesday, marking a crucial turn in the legal proceedings surrounding Khan’s conviction. However, it’s important to note that he will remain in judicial remand until his appearance before a special court scheduled for tomorrow, August 30. This appearance pertains to his involvement in the cipher case.
Judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain, from the Special Court established to handle cases under the Official Secrets Act, issued a letter to the superintendent of Attock Jail, ordering Khan’s judicial remand. The letter mentioned that Khan currently detained in the district jail, Attock, and now additionally remanded for the case mentioned above, as reported by Pakistani media house, Dawn.
Earlier on the same day, a Bench led by Chief Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri announced the order to suspend Khan’s conviction and sentence in the Toshakhana case. Chief Justice Farooq stated that the detailed judgment would soon available, emphasizing that Khan’s request for suspension had granted.
This decision follows the IHC’s recent reservation of the verdict regarding Khan’s appeal against his conviction in the Toshakhana corruption case.
Naeem Haider Panjotha, Khan’s spokesperson on legal affairs, took to social media to share the news. In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), Panjotha expressed his relief, stating “Punishment suspended Alhamdulillah” in Urdu. He also shared a video featuring the legal team’s gathering in the court premises, awaiting the much-anticipated verdict.
Furthermore, Khan’s political party submitted a petition to the Islamabad High Court, requesting that he not arrested in any cases filed after August 5. This date marks the time when Khan initially convicted and sentenced to three years in prison.
In response to the court’s decision, former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who succeeded Khan in office, voiced his criticism. Sharif noted that while Khan’s sentence has temporarily suspended, it has not entirely terminated. He expressed concern about the predictability of the outcome and its implications for the justice system.
The case against Imran Khan involves allegations of unlawfully selling state gifts obtained by him and his family during his tenure as Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022. Additionally, he has barred from participating in politics for a duration of five years, rendering him ineligible to contest in any upcoming elections.
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