Toshakhana II case: IHC Registrar raises objections over IK, spouse’s plead

ISLAMABAD: The Registrar of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday raised objections over a petition of PTI founder Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi seeking suspension of their sentences in Toshakhana II case.

The appeal, filed by PTI lawyers, sought suspension of the sentence awarded to the PTI founder in the Toshakhana-II case and his release on bail on medical grounds and what their counsel termed legal infirmities in the trial court verdict.

The IHC Registrar Office noted that objections previously identified in the main appeal were not addressed within the stipulated time frame. He added that under court rules, such objections must be resolved within seven days of filing the appeal.

The registrar’s office observed that since the deadline for removing those objections has already passed, it remains unclear how the court can proceed with a plea for suspension of sentence while the primary appeal still contains unresolved issues.

Advocate Salman Akram Raja, along with Barristers Salman Safdar, Gohar Ali Khan and Qausain Faisal Mufti, filed the petition under Section 426 read with Section 561-A of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1898, praying for the release of the petitioners till the final adjudication of their criminal appeal.

On Dec 20 last year, the Special Court Central-I judge convicted the couple, handing down a 10-year simple imprisonment term under Section 409 PPC (criminal breach of trust by a public servant), along with a fine of Rs16.425 million. Additionally, Mr Khan and Bushra Bibi were sentenced to seven years’ simple imprisonment under Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.

Imran’s counsel contended that the conviction under two separate enactments for the same alleged act violated the principle of double jeopardy enshrined in Section 26 of the General Clauses Act, 1897.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026