Pakistan's top court rejects ex-prime minister's plea against trial court

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) – Pakistan's Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected former Prime Minister Imran Khan's plea, seeking a stay on the proceedings of a trial court in a case related to the illegal buying and selling of foreign gifts.

A two-judge bench of the apex court rejected the ex-prime minister's plea, in the capital Islamabad, a court record said.

Khan, who is facing a host of cases against him, is accused of buying several gifts given by foreign dignitaries at cheaper prices and selling them off at market prices. He denies the charge.

The former prime minister, who was ousted through a no-trust vote in April 2022, has already been disqualified in the said case by the country's top electoral authority, the Election Commission of Pakistan, for making “false statements and incorrect declaration” in October last year.

Over 2,000 supporters of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party have been languishing in jails for their alleged involvement in attacks on military installations during protests against his arrest in a corruption case on May 9.

Khan has also been booked in multiple cases related to May 9 violence.