By Asif Naveed
ISLAMABAD; The Islamabad High Court on Monday began hearing the acquittal pleas filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and his wife Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana-II case. Justice Raja Inam Amin Minhas is presiding over the proceedings.
During the hearing, PTI founder’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, began his arguments, stating that similar Toshakhana cases had been framed in the past and that the witnesses in the current case are also the same.
Referring to witness Inamullah Shah, the lawyer said that the acquittal plea was submitted last year and the Toshakhana-II case is now in its concluding phase.
“If the prosecution wanted to proceed, why did they halt the case earlier?” Safdar questioned, adding that initially one case was filed in the Toshakhana matter and then another was initiated.
He reminded the court that the Toshakhana-I sentence had been suspended by a division bench of the High Court. Referring to the “Bulgari set,” he said if it actually exists, the prosecution should produce it.
Safdar pointed out that in the Toshakhana-II case, Inamullah Shah and Sohaib Abbasi have been listed both as witnesses and accused.
He detailed the timeline of the investigation, stating that it began on August 1, 2022, and the inquiry was approved on August 5. Justice Minhas asked the lawyer to specify the charges against his client.
Safdar replied that his client is accused of receiving jewellery and other gifts. He stressed that the same individuals appear as both witnesses and accused in the case.
He also recalled that his client was sentenced in the Toshakhana-I case on January 31, 2024, alongside the cipher case, without being given a chance to record his statement under Section 342.
Citing multiple investigations by the Election Commission, NAB, FIA, and Kohsar Police Station, Safdar argued that the accused cannot be punished twice for the same offence under Section 403 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Justice Minhas questioned whether there had been any statutory violations. Safdar argued that no offence is made out if a person voluntarily declares that they received a gift.
He informed the court that 19 witnesses had recorded their statements, and there are a total of 35 witnesses in the case.
The lawyer urged the court to stay the trial court from announcing its final verdict in the Toshakhana-II case until the acquittal pleas are decided. Justice Minhas remarked that he would consider the request.
Meanwhile, outside the court, Aleema Khan spoke to the media, alleging that “justice is not being done” and claiming that “those who cooked up these cases are now trapped.” She said the cases are being “badly exposed” and even the judge is in a difficult position.
IHC Bars Arrest of PTI Founder and Bushra Bibi in Multiple Cases Till Oct 28
Separately, the District and Sessions Court Islamabad heard pre-arrest bail petitions in several cases, including the May 9 riots, attempted murder, and fake receipts. The court extended the pre-arrest bail of PTI founder in six cases and Bushra Bibi in one case until October 28 and barred their arrest during this period.
The court also directed that the PTI founder be presented either in person or via video link at the next hearing. Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka presided over the proceedings and also issued a show-cause notice to Adiala Jail authorities.
Advocate Shamsa Kiani represented both PTI founder and Bushra Bibi during the hearing.
