RAWALPINDI: The hearing of Toshakhana II case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and Bushra Bibi has been adjourned until October 29. Meanwhile, he has called for a protest today (Friday) to press for setting up a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 incidents.
The defence lawyer for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and Bushra Bibi, Barrister Salman Safdar, completed his final arguments here on Thursday. The prosecution requested time to respond to Barrister Safdar’s arguments, and the court granted this request. The hearing of the Toshakhana II case was conducted by Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand at Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi. The PTI founder and Bushra Bibi were present in the courtroom. Barrister Salman Safdar, representing both the accused, concluded the final arguments. The prosecution’s assistant prosecutor, Bilal Butt, informed the court that senior prosecutors were unavailable and requested additional time to respond to the defence counsel’s arguments. The court accepted the prosecution’s request and adjourned the hearing until October 29.
Outside the Adiala Jail, the PTI founder’s sisters, Aleema Khan and Noreen Niazi, spoke to the media. They stated that the Islamabad High Court had cancelled the hearing of Al-Qadir case. The PTI founder called for setting up a judicial commission to investigate the Azad Kashmir incident and the events of November 26, stating that peace has never prevailed in the country during dictatorial regimes. Aleema Khan charged it seems Toshakhana II verdict would be announced very soon and sought an early haring of Imran, Bushra bail case.
Noreen Niazi, another sister of the PTI founder, said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister visited the Adiala Jail but was not allowed to meet the PTI founder. The PTI founder congratulated and praised the newly elected Chief Minister, Sohail Afridi, noting that Ali Amin had gracefully transferred power.
Quoting the PTI founder, Niazi noted that a judicial commission was not formed on May 9 incident, resulting in individuals receiving ten-year long sentences. According to Niazi, the PTI founder has called for a protest on Friday (today) for setting up judicial commission, warning that failure to establish one would complicate things. He also reiterated the demand for his release on parole to help the country on the Afghanistan issue, asserting that only a democratic government could bring peace and that those who “stole the mandate” lack solutions.