Pakistani court reserves judgment in former Premier Khan’s foreign gifts case

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Pakistan’s high court reserved judgment Thursday on an appeal by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan against his conviction in a case where he is accused of illegally purchasing and selling foreign gifts, according to court records.

A two-judge panel with the Islamabad High Court (IHC) gave no timeline to announce a ruling in the case.

Khan was sentenced to three years in October 2022 in what is commonly known as Toshakhan case. He was subsequently disqualified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) from holding public office for the next five years.

The IHC, however, suspended the sentence, and ordered his release on bail. But Khan was arrested in another case that accused him of exposing state secrets.

The former premier, who is facing a slew of cases, has been in jail since August.

Khan, who served as prime minister from 2018 - 2022, lost a vote of confidence in parliament in April 2022 -- one year short of completing his term.

He stepped down Wednesday from the chairmanship of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to avoid legal consequences amid his disqualification by the ECP.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​