In a relief for Pakistan Tekreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, a district and sessions court on Tuesday rejected the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) petition seeking an early hearing in the Toshakhana case.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal said the hearing in this regard will be held on April 29 — which was decided initially on March 30.

Khan is facing charges of corrupt practices related to the state gift depository — the allegation he denies.

In October last year, Khan was barred from holding public office after the ECP found him guilty of unlawfully selling gifts from foreign dignitaries and heads of state.

The trial court had issued an arrest warrant for the PTI chief in March due to his continuous absence, despite summons for indictment in the case.

The order of arrest, however, was cancelled by the trial court a few days later, over PTI’s insistence that Khan’s life was in danger and he needed security. The court had adjourned the hearing till March 30 and ordered Khan to ensure his presence.