PTI leader Aleema Khan said that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment in the Toshakhana case, questioning what happened to the vehicle Maryam Nawaz allegedly took from Toshakhana, for which, she claimed, no accountability was made.
Talking to the media outside the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Rawalpindi along with her lawyer Faisal Malik, Aleema Khan said PTI founder Imran Khan had called for a peaceful protest on November 22 last year. She said she was accused of conveying his message to the public, while police officials were brought forward to testify against them. She demanded that those giving false testimony should also be punished, adding that justice had virtually collapsed in Pakistan, though honest judges still existed but were ignored.
She said the PTI founder had always spoken of the rule of law, but judges who upheld it were pressured. Calling the Toshakhana case against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi bogus, she said the allegation was merely about undervaluing a necklace, yet it resulted in a 17-year sentence. She reiterated her question about Maryam Nawaz’s Toshakhana vehicle, saying the law was being ridiculed in Pakistan.
Aleema Khan said Imran Khan had recently conveyed that he was ready to accept martyrdom for the nation. She added that he had been in jail for two and a half years, always willing to face his cases, despite being offered opportunities to leave the country. She alleged that judges handing down unjust verdicts later left the country, saying their names would be remembered.
She further claimed that ATC judges also appeared to be acting under a plan. She said she had relayed Imran Khan’s message to the media and would present journalists as witnesses. She added that Imran Khan had been sent 11 books, of which the judge confirmed receipt of nine.
Aleema Khan said the PTI founder had sent a message to KP leadership regarding a street movement and claimed he represented 90 percent of the people. She said those calling for negotiations did not represent Imran Khan’s stance and were not his true companions.
Meanwhile, Advocate Faisal Malik said there was no evidence in the November 26 case against Aleema Khan and that an application for her acquittal had been filed. He termed the cases politically motivated and urged courts to provide justice, alleging that the prosecution was unnecessarily rushing the trial.
