Toshakhana: Imran eyeing relief from SC.

ISLAMABAD -- The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is eyeing relief from the Supreme Court for its chief Imran Khan in the Toshakhana reference wherein the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had filed a criminal complaint before a sessions court on charges of corrupt practices over non-disclosure of gifts received from foreign governments during his tenure as premier.

A member of PTI legal team, while talking to The Express Tribune, maintained that they had no issue regarding appearance of Imran before Islamabad sessions court judge Zafar Iqbal on March 18.

'However, we want that our applications regarding the maintainability of the ECP's complaint are decided,' he added.

He said they would approach the superior courts in case their applications were rejected.

'It is unlikely that the trial would conclude this year,' he noted.

Another lawyer rejected the impression that the trial would conclude soon after Imran's indictment, adding that the applications had to be decided before taking a final decision on the ECP complaint.

However, the court may give a decision on the applications after the conclusion of the trial, the lawyer said.

Likewise, if the Islamabad High Court does not give relief to Imran, then the PTI may approach the Supreme Court over maintainability of the complaint, he added.

Khawaja Haris, who had appeared on behalf of the PML-N supremo and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Panamagate trial, is now defending Imran in the Toshakhana criminal reference.

Interestingly, the...