ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday directed jail authorities to arrange a meeting between PTI founder Imran Khan and his lawyer to prepare arguments in the £190 million corruption case, while signalling a fast-track hearing of the appeals.
A division bench headed by Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar, along with Justice Muhammad Asif, issued the directive during proceedings on petitions filed by Imran and his spouse, Bushra Bibi, seeking suspension of their sentences.
Barrister Salman Safdar, representing Imran, requested time to consult his client. The court approved a meeting at 2pm on Wednesday and instructed authorities to ensure access, noting that court-approved ملاقات days had faced restrictions.
The bench indicated it could decide the main appeals within a week if arguments begin, proposing to fix hearings twice weekly. “You meet your client and assist the court,” the chief justice remarked, underscoring the intent for expeditious proceedings.
However, Safdar urged the court to first take up the suspension of sentence applications, particularly for Bushra Bibi, before formally commencing appeal hearings.
The case was adjourned till April 9.
Imran Khan, jailed since August 2023, is serving a 14-year sentence in the £190m case, also known as the Al-Qadir Trust case, while Bushra Bibi was sentenced to seven years. Both had challenged their convictions earlier this year.
The case pertains to allegations that the couple received financial benefits and land from a private housing society in exchange for facilitating the legalisation of funds repatriated from the United Kingdom.
Separately, Imran also faces conviction in another Toshakhana case and ongoing trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act linked to the May 9, 2023 unrest.
