Imran Khan Petitions Supreme Court Against IHC Decision on Toshakhana Case: Battle for Political Eligibility Intensifies

Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has taken a significant step by petitioning the Supreme Court against the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) decision regarding the Toshakhana case. The PTI is striving to lift the ban on the former prime minister, as this is the only way he can participate in the upcoming general elections.

Unfortunately for Imran Khan, the IHC had previously rejected his plea to suspend the trial court’s verdict in the Toshakhana case. In response, he filed a plea in the IHC to nullify the conviction, but the court dismissed it, dealing a blow to the PTI leader ahead of the February 8 polls.

In his latest petition to the Supreme Court, Imran Khan is seeking a stay on the IHC’s verdict, arguing that his sentence in the Toshakhana case has already been suspended. He contends that the denial of his fundamental right to contest elections is based on the suspension of only his sentence, rather than the entire order of conviction by the trial court, which prohibits him from running for office.

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The petition shows that the ECP took advantage of an error in the IHC’s order and issued a notification disqualifying Khan without allowing him to be heard.

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The IHC’s decision not to suspend Khan’s conviction on December 21 has left only one day for the submission of nomination papers for the upcoming elections. The court deemed Khan’s petition not maintainable, leading to its dismissal. The 70-year-old former cricketer and current politician was sentenced to three years in jail on August 5 for allegedly selling state gifts during his tenure as prime minister, charges that he vehemently denies.