The Islamabad High Court has initiated proceedings regarding an appeal against the punishment of the Chairman of Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). During the hearing at the Islamabad High Court, the appeal contesting the sentence of PTI Chairman Imran Khan was addressed. The court has also issued a notice in relation to the appeal against the sentence, as well as a request for the suspension of the sentence, indicating that the Election Commission’s stance will be considered.
Khawaja Haris, the legal representative of Chairman PTI, presented the case in court, asserting that the initial trial was conducted on a daily basis. The Islamabad High Court has instructed that a decision about the case should be reached within 7 days. On the third day, the intention was to present arguments on Monday, the fifth day. Unexpectedly, the trial court reached a verdict without allowing for the presentation of these arguments.
Khawaja Haris further elaborated that there were allegations of mistreatment towards his assistant in both the Supreme Court and the High Court. On the previous day, activities in the Supreme Court, High Court, and Accountability Court kept him occupied. At around ten-thirty, Khawaja Haris informed the trial judge of his arrival at the trial court, but his assistant faced harassment and was denied the opportunity to submit applications. An application in relation to this issue was also filed in the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice Amir Farooq acknowledged the situation, promising to address the matter. Barrister Gauhar is tasked with investigating the matter after the hearing.
Latif Khosa, the Advocate, emphasized that the right to defend for the Chairman PTI had been curtailed. An application to waive this right of defense is currently pending in this court. Despite this pending matter, a decision was rendered, delivering the maximum three-year sentence along with a fine of one lakh rupees. The trial court imposed the highest possible sentence, appearing to make a mockery of the judicial process. This sequence of events, where the High Court is involved, and the trial court hastily delivers a decision, is unprecedented.
Sher Afzal Marwat, another Advocate, revealed that a similar incident had occurred in his own case, where papers were tampered with.
