ISLAMABAD: A trial court in Islamabad granted former Prime Minister Imran Khan a one-day reprieve from appearing in the Toshakhana case on Saturday.
The court had begun hearings on a criminal case filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) head regarding alleged concealment of data concerning state gifts.

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Additional District and Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar granted the PTI chief’s request for exemption while ordering him to appear in court on Monday (July 24).
Barrister Gohar Ali, the defendant’s lawyer, asked the court to defer proceedings till Monday after submitting the motion for exemption.
Amjad Pervaiz, the ECP’s counsel, objected to the plea, claiming that no explanations for absence from court had been presented. He argued that the accused should be present in court during the trial.
The Supreme Court (SC) summoned the PTI chairperson on Monday, according to Advocate Pervaiz. He asked the court to order the former Prime Minister to submit an affidavit stating that he will appear for the hearings in this matter following his hearing before the Supreme Court.
During the hearing, Judge Dilawar noted that the case file contained nothing but the exemption plea.
“Your exemption pleas have always been accepted even though the accused has not appeared before the court even once,” the judge observed.
The judge adjourned proceedings until Monday (July 24), directing the PTI head to assure his presence in court following his appearance before the Supreme Court.
The court had recorded the statements of two prosecution witnesses at the previous hearing, which the PTI chief’s lawyer Khawaja Haris was set to begin cross-examining today.
Meanwhile, the PTI leader was unable to secure quick relief from the Islamabad High Court and a suspension of proceedings.
Instead, the IHC issued a notice about the injunction request and postponed the hearing until next week.