Imran sees ‘plot’ behind constitutional court plan

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan said on Monday that the government wants to set up a constitutional court to bypass the Supreme Court.

After seeing the latest Toshakhana case proceedings at the Adiala Jail, Mr. Khan stated to reporters that the government is establishing the court because it is “disappointed with the Supreme Court.”

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He claimed that the purpose of the proposed constitutional modifications was to “extend my incarceration,” and he added that the clauses would be bad for the future of the nation.

By retaining the current chief justice in place in order to “conceal the election fraud,” the former prime minister claimed that the administration intended to “destroy the judiciary.”

The administration is concerned that an open investigation into the purported irregularities during the general election on February 8th will “badly expose them.”

Mr. Khan called on the people to defend their rights and preserve the legal system, declaring his solidarity with journalists and judges.

He asserted that individuals who introduced the revisions had hidden their money overseas and that the ruling coalition had amended the National Accountability Ordinance 1999 to protect their “billions of rupees.”

It’s crucial to remember that despite Mr. Khan’s fierce opposition to the amendments, which the Supreme Court recently upheld, his legal team has filed an application in an accountability court asking for his acquittal in the £190 million case. They claim that the amended law preserved the federal cabinet’s decisions.

4,000 Pakistani firms have been registered in Dubai in the previous six months, the former prime minister said during his media appearance. He also mentioned that the spouse of the current interior minister owns properties in the UAE valued at $500 million.

Court proceedings

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Special Court had earlier started the proceedings in the new Toshakhana reference against Mr. Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi.

The case was tried by Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand within the Adiala Jail, where Mr. Khan is being held.

On the following hearing date, the judge directed the investigating officer to turn in a report.

Barrister Salman Safdar defended Mr. Khan, and special prosecutors Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi and Umair Majeed appeared on behalf of the FIA.

The case’s next hearing has been postponed until September 23.

IHC removes objections

In the meantime, the Islamabad High Court has dismissed objections to Mr. Khan and his spouse’s request in the recent Toshakhana reference for an early determination of their post-arrest release. The petitions were submitted by the couple one month ago.