On Monday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) took a significant decision regarding the Toshakhana case involving former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi. The court decided to halt their sentences pending their appeals, a move that garnered attention and scrutiny.
During the hearing, Chief Justice Aamer Farooq initially inquired about the appeal’s schedule for the day. However, instead of proceeding with the appeal immediately, the judge chose to discuss the suspension of the sentence. This decision was made despite the PTI’s counsel, Barrister Ali Zafar, expressing a preference to argue the appeal itself rather than focusing on the suspension.
Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb raised a crucial question to the NAB prosecutor regarding their stance on suspending the sentence. The prosecutor confirmed that the verdict had been reviewed and categorized as a suspension of sentence case.
The decision to defer the Toshakhana case hearing until after Eid was influenced by the schedule, particularly with the cypher case conviction appeal set for the next day. This deferral indicates a strategic approach by the court to manage its caseload efficiently while addressing the complexities and priorities of different cases.
The IHC’s decision reflects a careful consideration of legal procedures and priorities. By halting the sentences pending appeals and deferring the hearing, the court aims to ensure a fair and thorough examination of the case while upholding due process and judicial integrity.
