Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) Lawyers, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Senator Ali Zafar, have voiced strong reservations against the recent verdict of the accountability court concerning PTI founding member Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the Toshakhana case. The verdict, which includes a 14-year prison sentence for Khan and Bibi, along with a ten-year disqualification for Khan and a hefty fine of Rs1.5730 billion, has sparked outrage within the party.
PTI’s legal representatives, Barrister Ali Zafar and Senator Ali Zafar, announced plans to appeal the decision in higher courts, asserting that the trial process had been marred by procedural irregularities. They highlighted that the defense was not allowed to cross-examine the accused or present witnesses, a violation of legal standards.
Barrister Ali Zafar emphasized that they had anticipated such a verdict and were prepared to challenge it. He criticized the court’s failure to adhere to due process, citing violations of Article 10A of the constitution and fundamental legal principles. He pledged to seek suspension of the judgment through legal channels.
Similarly, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan denounced the sentence, labeling it unprecedented and unjust. He accused the court of bias and hinted at political motives behind the decision. Khan affirmed PTI’s commitment to pursuing legal recourse and urged party members to remain steadfast in their support.
Furthermore, Khan argued that Bushra Bibi had been unfairly implicated in the case, emphasizing her innocence and attributing her punishment to political pressure tactics. He urged PTI supporters to maintain confidence in the party’s resilience and to actively participate in upcoming elections.
Both leaders expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to rectify what they perceive as a miscarriage of justice, vowing to pursue all available legal avenues to challenge the verdict. They called for unity within PTI ranks in the face of adversity, reaffirming their determination to seek redress through lawful means.