ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a plea by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan to suspend proceedings in the trial of the Toshakhana case۔
The PTI chairman had filed an appeal against the Islamabad High Court’s decision to send the Toshakhana case back to the trial court for hearing. He urged the court to halt the immediate trial in the case.
A three-member bench, headed by Justice Yahya Afridi and comprising of Justice Mazahar Ali Naqvi and Justice Musarat Hilali, heard the PTI chief’s plea requesting halt to the proceedings until both the SC and the high court issued their respective decisions.
“We are analyzing the situation, the relief you asked for was given by us, I’m surprised you have approached the Supreme Court,” remarked the judge.
The apex court while rejecting immediate relief to the former prime minister issued notices to the respondents in the case for August 5.
PTI chief’s lawyer Khawaja Haris argued that the case was set for a hearing in the High Court tomorrow but there are concerns over the case jurisdiction.
The judge said the petitioner should wait for the verdict from the court. The hearing was adjourned until August 4.
“We believe that the high court can issue a better order than us. It is possible that it will give the order to stop the trial tomorrow,” he said.
Justice Yahya Afridi of the two-member SC bench remarked that the apex court will not interfere in the trial court’s matters in the Toshakhana case.
PTI chief’s lawyer Haris informed the court that there are multiple petitions related to the jurisdiction of the trial court and transfer of the Toshakhana case pending in the high court.
Islamabad High Court (IHC) has fixed Imran Khan’s appeal for a hearing on August 3, challenging the maintainability of the Toshakhana case.
