Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Thursday approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for the suspension of the trial court verdict in the Toshakhana case in an attempt to get his disqualification by the ECP repealed.

In the petition, the PTI chief’s lawyer contended that they had requested the IHC to suspend the trial court verdict in the Toshakhana case. However, it added that the IHC only suspended the sentence rather than overturning his conviction in its August 28 decision.  

“That it is settled principle of law that inherent powers of High Court are vast and undefinable. High Court can make all such orders to do real and substantial justice. It is a fit case to exercise the powers under Section 561-A Cr.P.C. as the omission in not recording the contentions of the learned counsel for the applicant/appellant at the bar praying for suspension of the impugned order dated 05.08.2023 and subsequent non-mentioning of the same in the order dated 28.08.2023 is an omission floating on the face of the order,” states the plea.

The petition further contends that Khan’s “rights” faced “serious prejudice” because of the non-suspension of the trial court verdict as ECP barred him from contesting elections.

“However, the same has caused serious prejudice to the rights of the applicant/appellant as he has been disqualified from contesting the election by the ECP’s Notification dated 08.08.2023 based on the impugned order of conviction /sentence, hence, the interest of justice demands that the omission stated heretofore may be rectified by exercising the powers under Section 561-A Cr.P.C. and the operation of impugned order may very graciously be ordered to be suspended/stayed till final decision of the appeal,” states the petition.