Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif criticised the recent suspension of the sentence of his predecessor Imran Khan in a corruption case, calling the verdict a dark chapter in the nations history.Sharif further accused Supreme Court Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial of favouring Imran Khan and influencing the lower courts. He said that the Islamabad High Courts decision was influenced by the leniency shown by the apex court towards the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief.The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday suspended Imran Khans three-year sentence in the Toshakhana corruption case, where he was accused of unlawfully selling state gifts acquired during his tenure. The decision was rendered by a Division Bench comprising IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri.A three-judge bench of the Pakistan Supreme Court presided by Chief Justice Bandial and comprising Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail is scheduled to resume hearing petitions challenging the Toshakhana corruption case.What did Shehbaz Sharif say after Imran Khan ruling by Islamabad HCIn a post on the social media platform X, Sharif wrote, “The favourites [Imran Khan] sentence has been suspended, not terminated. Chief Justices message of Good to see you and Wishing you good luck reached Islamabad High Court. Before the decision comes, everyone knows what the decision will be, so it should be a momentary concern for the justice system. If a clear message is received from the higher judiciary, then what else should the subordinate court do”لاڈلے کی سزا معطل ہوئی ہے ختم نہیں ہوئی۔ چیف جسٹس کا گُڈ ٹو سی یو اور وشنگ یو گڈ لک کا پیغام اسلاآباد ہائی کورٹ تک پہنچ گیا۔ فیصلہ آنے سے پہلے ہی سب کو پتہ ہو کہ فیصلہ کیا ہوگا تو یہ نظام عدل کے لئے لمحہ فکریہ ہونا چاہیے ۔ اعلی عدلیہ سے واضح پیغام مل جائے تو ماتحت عدالت یہ نہ…— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) August 29, 2023Sharif questioned the impartiality of the judicial process, suggesting that the high-level judiciarys influence guided the lower courts decisions. He criticised the brevity of the assembly session and condemned the courts leniency towards Khan.“A monitoring judge was appointed to ensure the punishment of Nawaz Sharif, [and now] the Chief Justice himself [has become] a monitoring judge to save the favourite,” he said.Sharif further alleged that this leniency was not extended to his brother, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and accused the justice system of having a bias. Sharif stated, “This role of the justice system will be written as the dark chapter of history. Scales tilted to one side, and a justice system that undermines justice are not acceptable.”Imran Khan was accused of earning ₹36 million by illegally selling watches gifted to him during his tenure. Sharif questioned the courts leniency toward Khan and raised concerns about justice for the common citizens.“If thieves and state terrorists are facilitated, where will the common man get justice in the country Be it May 9, be it an attack on the judicial complex, be it raining petrol bombs on the police, everything is forgiven,” Sharif said.He also referred to the violent protests that erupted following Khans arrest in a corruption case and criticised the alleged leniency shown towards Khans supporters. He highlighted the damage to military installations and government buildings during the riots and questioned the unequal treatment of protesters.The government alleges that Imran Khan concealed the proceeds from the sale of state gifts in the Toshakhana case. Khan, who is currently lodged in the Attock Jail in Punjab, allegedly received gifts worth more than ₹140 million from world leaders during his term, and the case accuses him of retaining these gifts without proper reporting or payment.
