Imran Khan’s legal team concludes arguments in state gifts case

A special court in Pakistan on Thursday adjourned the hearing of the high-profile state gifts case - commonly known as the Toshakhana case - against former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, until October 29, after the defense concluded its final arguments.

Barrister Salman Safdar completed the defense arguments before Special Judge Central Islamabad Shah Rukh Arjumand during proceedings held inside Adiala Jail. Following the defense’s closing remarks, the prosecution requested an additional 30 minutes to present its final points, prompting the judge to adjourn the case.

Defence concludes, prosecution seeks time

Speaking to Nukta after the hearing, lawyer Salman Akram Raja said the defense had expected the case to conclude on Thursday. “We were expecting the hearing to finish today after Barrister Salman Safdar concluded his arguments, but the prosecution asked for 30 minutes from the court,” he noted.

Responding to questions about the formation of a new cabinet under Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Raja said, “It’s up to Sohail Afridi whoever he wants in his cabinet. The new cabinet will be formed from a clean slate.” He added that Afridi would decide himself whether Barrister Saif would be included.

Raja also criticized jail authorities for not allowing a meeting between Khan and Afridi. “We will approach the court. He’s the head of a province - he came to Punjab but wasn’t given the due respect. Peaceful protest is our right, but we’ll first go to court for permission for the meeting between the KP chief minister and Khan,” he said.

Aleema Khan slams judicial delays

Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, accompanied by Noreen Niazi and Barrister Gohar Khan, also spoke to reporters after the hearing. She said they had visited the High Court earlier in the day for the Al-Qadir Trust case, only to learn that the presiding judge had gone to a lunch engagement.

“The judge cancelled the case and excused himself from hearing it. Judge Dogar is not meeting the demands of justice,” she said.

Aleema added that Judge Arjumand appeared to be in a hurry during the Toshakhana hearing, indicating that he would need two to three days to prepare the verdict, leading to the October 29 adjournment. “Now the hearing has effectively been delayed for almost two weeks. We want the bail case of the founder and his wife to be heard,” she said.

KP CM barred from meeting Khan

Party leader Noreen Niazi said the KP chief minister came to meet the party founder but was not permitted entry. “The founder congratulated him and praised him, saying the revolution will come,” she stated, adding that Khan also lauded Ali Amin for his role in the transfer of power.

Khan reportedly called for a judicial commission to investigate the November 26 Kashmir and Muridke incidents, urging the media to highlight the issue. He criticized the absence of a commission on the May 9 violence and the harsh sentences that followed.

Barrister Gohar Khan also condemned the prolonged judicial process, noting that the Al-Qadir case verdict was delivered on January 16, yet the bail petition had not been decided within the mandatory two months. “Nine months later, our case is still pending. The founder said we never demanded which judge should hear the case - only that a decision be made swiftly,” he said.

He added that despite a court order, the KP chief minister’s meeting with Khan was not allowed. “This is the sixth case being heard inside jail. This is injustice. Even today the case was delisted. Justice delayed is also injustice,” he said.