Newsnomics AJAY ANGELINA reporter |
Islamabad high court has suspended the conviction of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s conviction on Toshakhana case verdict and ordered his release after the struggle of 24 days.
Former Prime minister Imran Khan was arrested and ordered three years sentence in the charges of Toshakhana case that says Imran was involved in selling state gifts during his presidency from 2018 to 2022.
Raoof Hassan, the spokesperson of former PM Imran Khan expressed Khan’s conviction “the re-scripting of Pakistan’s political & legal history said “Justice must prevail- and justice should prevail.”
Mirza Moiz Baig, a lawyer said that Khan will remain disqualified from the politics. “It is important to remem ber that only the sentence has been suspended, not the actual conviction “adding Imran Khan remains “ineligible” to lead his party Tehreek-e-Insaf Pakistan.
The court established under the official Secrets Act directed that Khan will remain in "judicial lockup" in connection with the cypher case on Tuesday, 29 August and ordered Khan to appear in the court for hearing on Wednesday 30 August 2023.
Tania Bazai, a lawyer at the Islamabad High Court told Al Jazeera that, Khan could face up to 14 years in prison if he is convicted in the cypher that will decide Khan’s fate.”
“Mr Khan violated the Official Secrets Act and waved the cypher – privileged communication between the head of state and diplomats – during a political rally and read aloud its contents, “said Bazai.
Shahbaz Sharif, former prime minister of Pakistan and the president of Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party slammed the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial for giving “favor” to Imran Khan soon after the IHC suspended his conviction in Toshakhana case.
His message on X reads, the “beloved ones” sentence has been suspended, not terminated.”
"Chief Justice's message 'Good to see you and 'Wishing you good luck' has reached Islamabad High Court. If everyone knows what the decision will be before the decision comes, it should be a moment of concern for the justice system."
Shahbaz further slammed that when a "clear message" was received from the higher judiciary, the subordinate court would follow suit.
"A monitoring judge was appointed to ensure Nawaz Sharif's punishment, [and now] the chief justice himself [has become] a monitoring judge to save the “beloved one" he added.
On giving relief to former PM Imran Khan he said, "this role of justice system will be written as the dark chapter in the history. Scales tilted to one side and a justice system that undermines justice are not acceptable.
The law was powerless before those who "sold the watches “he said.
The former premier also lamented "if thieves and state terrorists are facilitated, where shall the common man get justice in the country?"
"Whether it’s May 9, whether it an attack on the judicial complex, whether it be the matter of petrol bombs on the police, everything is forgiven," he concluded.
