Imran Khan’s legal problems only got worse on Wednesday as an accountability court in the Toshakhana reference sentenced the former prime minister and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to 14 years in prison with harsh punishment.
Judge Muhammad Bashir of the accountability court delivered the decision, dismissing the former prime minister for ten years and fining the couple Rs 1.573 billion.
The founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was taken before the court; Bushra Bibi did not show up. The PTI founder was summoned to appear by the court, which also asked him where his 342 statement was.
“The statement is in the room; I was only called to appear before the court,” Imran Khan said.
The judge said, “Don’t waste court time,” and ordered Imran Khan to provide his statement right now.
Imran Khan questioned the court about his haste, pointing out that he had received a hastily handed punishment in a case involving cyphers.
The PTI founder said, “The lawyers have not yet arrived; I will submit the statement after showing them,” and he exited the courtroom.
The Toshakhana reference hearing against Imran Khan, the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and his spouse, Bushra Bibi, was postponed on Tuesday due to the illness of Presiding Judge Muhammad Bashir, who was admitted to the hospital.
Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) was used to record Bushra Bibi’s testimony during the hearings, but Khan’s statement was postponed until the next hearing. At that moment, the defence team intends to offer its witness list as well.
When Imran Khan spoke to the court and expressed his displeasure over the lost chance to cross-examine witnesses, tensions increased. “Our right to defend ourselves has been curtailed,” he said.
“Knowing this was going to be important to my defence, I was ready to grill the witnesses about the true cost of the presents. This is not an opportunity.” He said, “I can defend myself,” one more time. Is it anticipated that I will get the decision today?”
Concerns were also expressed by Khan over purported disparities in data sent by the House military secretary to the prime minister. He said, “There have been cases of blatant lies.”
To further complicate the ongoing legal processes, the PTI founder further accused the military secretary of the Prime Minister’s House of lying.
The unexpected delay owing to the judge’s health adds a layer of complexity to the already intricate and well-reported Toshakhana case.
Former prime minister Imran Khan received a second sentencing from the courts in less than a day. In the cypher case, former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and former prime minister Imran Khan were both given 10-year prison terms on Tuesday.
Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqernain of the Official Secrets Act special court rendered the decision during sessions held in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail.
The prosecution has sufficient credible evidence, the court said, to establish the offence.
During the sentence hearing, both accused parties were in the courtroom and declined to sign the statement form required by Section 342 of the CrPC. They declared that if their solicitors were not there, they would not sign the form.
