The Toshakhana gift case was filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) last year after it found the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman guilty of corrupt practices.
Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal heard the case today. During the hearing, Imran Khan’s lawyer sought another exemption from personal appearance citing medical reasons. Earlier, the court had fixed February 7 as the date for indictment but delayed the matter till today after accepting Khan’s plea seeking exemption.
During the hearing, Imran Khan’s lawyer Gohar Ali Khan told the court that some medical procedures of his client are to be conducted on February 28.
Upon which, the judge remarked that pleas seeking exemptions are being filed since February 9, adding that this will prolong the trial.
While raising objection over the exemption plea, ECP’s representative Saad Hasan said Imran Khan appeared before the Lahore High Court (LHC) a day ago.
The judge remarked that the court could order PIMS to provide a medical report outlining Imran Khan's current state of health and asked the lawyer to present the medico-legal report in order to determine the nature of Imran Khan's ailments.
The ECP submitted the reference in November 2022, pleading to the court to pursue criminal charges against Imran Khan for allegedly lying to officials about the gifts he received from foreign dignitaries while serving as prime minister.
The ECP had pleaded that Khan be convicted of the offenses listed in Sections 167 (corrupt practice) and 173 (making or publishing a false statement or declaration) of the Elections Act 2017.
According to the record, the state gifts were purchased from the Toshakhana for Rs21.5 million based on their assessed value, which was around Rs108 million.