LAHORE:The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday approved an extension in its previous order halting the criminal proceedings against the PTI chairman in the Toshakhana reference. During Thursday’s hearing, the former premier’s lawyer Khawaja Harris pleaded the court to extend the stay order for a week. However, the counsel for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) urged the court to allow the trial court to resume proceedings against the PTI chief.
Advocate Harris informed the high court that he had also filed a petition challenging the jurisdiction of the trial court. After hearing the arguments, Justice Farooq adjourned the hearing until June 14. In last October, the PTI chairman was disqualified by the ECP as a member of the National Assembly for concealing information about gifts he received from the Toshakhana in declarations. The electoral body later moved a court to start criminal proceedings against the former prime minister.
The PTI chief is also set to attend hearings in multiple cases pertaining to May 9 violent protests and others. He is also expected to appear before an anti-terrorism court in 10 cases related to violation of Section 144 and threatening a woman judge.