ISLAMABAD: The trial of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan comes close to its conclusion as the two prosecution witnesses has testified before the court in Toshakhana case.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar recorded the statement of both the prosecution witnesses.

The witnesses District Election Commissioner Waqas Malik and Deputy Director Finance Musadiq Anwar testified before the court.

At the outset, when the court resumed the proceeding, not a single lawyer of Mr Khan was present in the courtroom.

An associate of Barrister Gohar Ali Khan explained that due to demise of his uncle, Barrister Gohar a lawyer of PTI chief was unable to attend the proceeding.

The court was also told that the lead counsel Khawaja Haris Ahmed will reach after 12pm.

A junior lawyer submitted an application seeking exemption from attendance for Mr Khan.

The ECP counsel objected that the lawyer who submitted the application was not a counsel for Mr Khan.

After a brief adjournment, Khawaja Haris reached the courtroom and informed the judge that Mr Khan was scheduled to appear before the Lahore High Court.

The judge gave a day exemption to Mr Khan. However, when he started recording the testimony of a witness, Khawaja Haris argued that it must be recorded in the presence of Imran Khan.

Judge Humayun Dilawar remarked that he has summoned the PTI chief for this reason, but he sought exemption instead adding that since the commencement of the proceeding of Toshakhana case, Mr Khan appeared only once. The witness Waqas Malik testified that he was posted as the District Election Commissioner in 2022. On Nov 7 he was informed in writing to file a complaint against Mr Khan under section 190 of the Elections Act along with the evidence.

He said that the reference against Mr Khan was forwarded by the Speaker National Assembly and the proceeding was commenced following serving a notice to the PTI chairman. He said that the complaint was filed against Mr Khan with due authorisation.

He stated that Mr Khan concealed his assets relating to Toshakhna gifts retained by him particularly in year 2018 and 2019 when he was the prime minister in the statements of assets and liabilities filed for the year 2017-201 8 and 2018-19.

He further said that the record revealed that for the year 2018-19 the gift items were purchased on payment of Rs21,564,600 from Toshakhana on the basis of assessed value. The total value of the gift items was Rs107,943,000.

Another witness Anwar testified that he was the custodian of the record and the assets declaration forms submitted by Mr Khan was also kept in his custody.

He has also brought the original documents before the court.

The court adjourned further proceeding till Friday (today).

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2023