Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi challenge Toshakhana-II case verdict

Counsel for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi have filed appeals in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), challenging the 17-year prison sentences handed down by the Special Judge Central in the Toshakhana-II case, Aaj News reported.

The appeals seek to have the Toshakhana-II verdict declared null and void. They contend that the prosecution completely failed to prove the allegations and that the court’s reliance on the statement of an approver was legally flawed.

The petitions argue that multiple punishments cannot be awarded for the same offence and that the sentences were passed in violation of legal principles. Furthermore, the appeals claim that the Special Central Court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case.

Read More: Toshakhana case II: Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi sentenced to 17 years

The appellants also asserted that Shoaib Abbasi was illegally turned into a state witness (approver), which compromised the transparency and legal standing of the trial.

The IHC registrar’s office has assigned diary numbers to the appeals, paving the way for further proceedings. Imran’s appeal has been marked as diary number 24560, while Bushra Bibi’s appeal is assigned number 24561.

On December 20, an Islamabad court sentenced the former prime minister and his wife to a total of 17 years in prison each under various sections of the law in the Toshakhana-II case, a verdict the PTI had immediately vowed to challenge.