The Islamabad High Court has granted an appeal to the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, suspending his 14-year sentence related to graft charges according to a statement by his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
The appeal links to the Toshakhana corruption case, a situation in which Khan was accused of selling state gifts. His political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, has consistently discredited the charges, expressing confidence in receiving justice in higher courts.
Zulfiqar Bukhari, the party’s spokesperson, declared publically that the charges were frivolous and that Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi had not conducted anything illegal in relation to the Toshakhana case. This sentiment was echoed by Naeem Haider Panjutha, Khan’s Legal Affairs Spokesman, who celebrated the suspension of the sentence.
Despite his removal from office by opposition parties through a vote of no confidence in Parliament in March 2022, Khan remains incarcerated due to other convictions. Khan appealed his convictions in three cases in February, the two other cases being the “cypher case“, related to leaked diplomatic cables, and a violation of a three-month waiting period for marriage.
Scrutiny over Khan’s judicial proceedings has been intensified recently. On March 25, six judges from the Islamabad High Court composed a letter to the Supreme Judicial Council, suggesting potential interference by Pakistan’s powerful intelligence agencies in the judiciary’s operation. In light of these events, there is growing concern about the pressure and interference these courts may face, casting doubt on the fairness of Khan’s judicial proceedings. As such, it is crucial for the Supreme Judicial Council to instigate an impartial investigation into these serious allegations.