PAKISTAN COURT INDICTS KHAN IN STATES GIFTS CASE

Wed 10 May 2023:

Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan has been indicted by a court for unlawfully selling state gifts during his premiership between 2018-22, broadcaster Geo News reported.

The case was filed in August by a member of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN), contending Khan had bought gifts given by foreign dignitaries from the state gift depository (also called Toshakhana) but did not disclose the assets in declarations submitted to the commission.

The Pakistan’s election commission (ECP) in October, found the opposition leader guilty of “corrupt practices” and disqualified him from being a member of parliament.

Khan has rejected the allegations and has called the case politically motivated.

Khan’s arrest ‘laid bare’ people’s anger: Lawyer

Lawyer and media personality Saad Rasool says Khan’s arrest from court premises has “lay bare” a deep rooted anger amongst the Pakistani people against “status quo forces”.

“The case against Khan seems untenable at first glance – but that would be for the courts to decide,” Rasool told Al Jazeera.

“However, the general impression among people is that Khan was made to appear in the Islamabad High Court, in order to create an opportunity to arrest him. And under this impression, many are alleging collusion between members of the government and State institutions, especially the court.”

Court reserves ruling on request to keep Khan in detention

The court in Islamabad hearing Khan’s case has reserved its ruling on whether to grant authorities permission to detain the opposition leader for 14 days.

However, the court is expected to announce its ruling shortly.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said that internet services across the country will remain suspended for an indefinite period, according to a news report carried by Geo.tv.

Internet service in Pakistan to remain suspended

The telecommunication authority confirmed that the decision to block mobile broadband services was taken on the directives of the Ministry of Interior, the report said.

Meanwhile, violent protests intensify across Pakistan, Geo News has reported that the office of the Associated Press of Pakistan in Peshawar, located inside the Radio Pakistan building, has been set on fire.

The media outlet said that six people were present inside the office when the blaze erupted, adding that all of them were safely evacuated.

Islamabad police have claimed that PTI protesters in the capital are lobbing petrol bombs and throwing stones at officers. In a tweet, it stated that trees and state property are being set on fire.