Pakistani court docket seeks ‘government response’ over Imran Khan’s imprisonment, refuses to launch him

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A prime Pakistani court docket Wednesday stated it wished to listen to from the federal government earlier than deciding over former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s enchantment in opposition to his imprisonment on corruption prices.

Khan was arrested at his Lahore dwelling on Saturday and given a three-year jail sentence on prices of concealing property. He is held on the high-security jail Attock within the japanese Punjab province whereas his authorized staff seeks his launch.

His enchantment listening to is underway, however the Islamabad High Court gave Khan no speedy aid and he stays behind bars. The court docket stated it seeks “government response” and would hear from the Election Commission of Pakistan’s attorneys earlier than deciding on Khan’s enchantment.

The fee final 12 months disqualified Khan from holding public workplace for 5 years accusing him of unlawfully promoting state presents and concealing property as premier. Khan was notified of his disqualification once more on Tuesday following his sentencing.

The court docket adjourned with out setting a date for the next listening to, dealing a blow to Khan’s authorized staff.

Khan met solely as soon as with one in all his attorneys, Naeem Haider Panjutha, since his arrest, who was current with him in court docket on Wednesday. Panjutha requested for the previous premier’s launch, saying that Khan didn’t violate any legal guidelines and his arrest was unlawful.

Addressing reporters, Panjutha stated, “we were not properly heard today.”

Khan’s lawyer had additionally requested Monday for his switch to a jail the place there are particular cells for under-trial and imprisoned politicians. Usually, high-profile personalities are stored on the Adiyala jail in Rawalpindi after their arrest.

Khan — who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in April 2022 however stays a preferred determine within the nation — has denied the fees.

This comes as Khan’s successor, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is ready to dissolve parliament later Wednesday after the completion of its time period.

Though the dissolution might pave the best way for parliamentary elections by mid-November, the federal government might delay the vote by a number of months if it decides to redraw constituencies based mostly on latest census outcomes.

Under Pakistan’s structure, after Sharif steps down and the parliament is disbanded, a caretaker authorities is put in to run day-to-day affairs for 90 days till the subsequent election. So far Sharif has not revealed who will develop into the caretaker prime minister.

Sharif’s ruling Pakistan Muslim League celebration is predicted to face robust competitors from Khan’s celebration – although Khan himself could be unable to participate until he’s granted an enchantment is launched from jail.

Under Pakistan’s legal guidelines, no convicted individual is eligible to steer a celebration, run in elections, or maintain public workplace.

Khan was beforehand arrested in May on corruption prices, triggering a wave of violent protests throughout the nation. Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered his launch days later, saying his arrest was unlawful.