Toshakhana law ignored in Imran’s case: lawyer

ISLAMABAD: Faisal Chaudhry, a lawyer from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) founder chairman’s legal team, said Tuesday that the case is not being prosecuted based on the Toshakhana law that was in effect in 2018.

Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, he alleged that an attempt is being made to keep the PTI founder in jail by fabricating a case. He said that the PTI founder believes the law is being violated and that efforts are underway to detain him illegally.

The lawyer said that the PTI founder had mentioned Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s 15-month imprisonment and expressed confidence in him. Under instructions from his father, PTI’s Deputy Parliamentary Leader in the National Assembly, Zain Qureshi, had reportedly gone into hiding due to the tabling and adoption of the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

This act was viewed with suspicion within the party, and Zain was one of four PTI MNAs served with show-cause notices, with seven days to explain their positions. In a video statement, Zain clarified that his father had called him to Lahore and advised him not to participate in any government-tabled legislation.

Upon receiving the notice, he announced he would step down as the party’s deputy parliamentary leader until the ‘inquiry’ findings were completed. Faisal Chaudhry said that the PTI founder had reiterated his stance that there would be no compromise on democracy and the rule of law in the country.

Separately, Aleema Khan, the PTI founder chairman’s sister, said a world record was set by passing amendments without any discussion in four hours the previous day. She was speaking to the media in Rawalpindi.

Referring to Monday’s legislation, Aleema Khan remarked that democracy and the justice system are being undermined. She further alleged that attempts are being made to take control of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.