IHC Admits Appeals by Imran Khan and Bushra

In Islamabad, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) addressed lingering objections in a landmark case involving former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi. The court formally numbered their appeals against convictions in the Toshakhana-II scandal and directed immediate hearings.

During proceedings on Thursday, Chief Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro presided over arguments from lawyers Salman Safdar and Salman Akram Raja, representing Khan and his wife. Imran Khan’s sisters were also present to support them.

Attorney Salman Safdar brought attention to the Registrar’s Office’s objections that had surfaced without notice. He informed the court that objections included claims about outdated power of attorney documents, which were later withdrawn by the registrar.

Safdar highlighted another issue: a complaint regarding unflagged pages and improperly arranged sequence in the appeals documents. Soomro observed with a smile, suggesting the lawyer simply flag the pages as a solution to this objection.

The court granted seven days for the remaining objections to be addressed, accepting two miscellaneous applications filed by Khan and Bibi. One sought removal of objections on their main appeal, while another requested an extension of time to tackle the issues raised.

Concurrently, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Azam Khan heard petitions for early hearings in the £190 million case involving PTI activists.

Safdar explained that Imran Khan had an eye condition requiring hospitalization, delaying proceedings related to his main appeal. He also noted Bushra Bibi’s petition for suspension of sentence was similarly delayed. He emphasized these issues and requested a more expedited schedule.

Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar expressed disapproval at the large number of PTI-affiliated lawyers present, questioning their motives. Accepting Safdar’s request, the bench set an early hearing date on March 11 for petitions related to sentence suspensions.