Former Prime Minister Imran Khan's trial on charges of illegally selling state gifts has been temporarily halted by a Pakistan high court, his lawyer announced. If convicted, this case could potentially end Khan's political career and exclude him from the upcoming national elections scheduled for November.

The court's decision to pause the proceedings came after it asked a trial court to examine whether the legal complaint filed by the country's election commission against Khan constituted a criminal proceeding. Khan's legal team has argued that the complaint is not a criminal case and raised concerns about the trial judge's bias against him.

The higher court rejected Khan's appeal to remove the judge but hailed its decision to halt the trial. The case, which is nearing its conclusion, revolves around an election commission inquiry that found Khan guilty of unlawfully selling state gifts during his term as prime minister. Khan has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

The allegations stem from the accusation that Khan used his position to buy and sell gifts received during foreign visits, including watches given by a royal family. Government officials have claimed that Khan's aides sold these gifts in Dubai. Last year, Khan's tenure as prime minister was cut short by opponents who won a no-confidence vote against him, a move he alleges was facilitated by the country's military, an accusation the military denies.

Khan's criticism of the military has increased political tensions, and his brief arrest in May on corruption charges sparked violent protests. In the midst of the trial, Khan withdrew his plea against the proceedings in a corruption case where he is accused of concealing details about the gifts he retained from the state repository. The Supreme Court dismissed the plea and expressed hope that both the trial court and the Islamabad High Court would make decisions in accordance with the law.