The Islamabad High Court has finally ordered an early hearing for petitions requesting the suspension of Imran Khan’s and Bushra Bibi’s sentences in their multi-million pound graft case. The division bench comprising Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Azam Khan heard miscellaneous applications seeking expedited hearings on March 11.
Attorneys for Imran Khan argued that his health issues warranted a judicial review of the sentence suspension, while Bushra’s petition sought an immediate hearing given its long-drawn-out delay. Barrister Salman Safdar represented both parties before the court, detailing their medical and procedural challenges.
Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar took umbrage at the large number of PTI-affiliated lawyers present during the hearing, suggesting they might be attempting to influence the proceedings. Safdar explained that Imran Khan was in need of urgent medical attention due to an eye condition, which prevented him from appearing for his trial promptly.
The judge expressed disapproval, emphasizing he did not intend to give the application immediate consideration but directed the court to expedite these petitions without delay. He noted that Bushra’s case had also languished over a year despite five miscellaneous petitions being filed against them.
During the hearing, Safdar highlighted how the registrar’s office had consistently failed to schedule early hearings for the sentences suspension applications. The lawyer appealed to the bench to resolve this matter swiftly, asserting that such delays could not be tolerated given the health implications and procedural fairness concerns raised by the petitioners.
The chief justice accepted Safdar’s request for an expedited hearing and ordered sentence suspension petitions of both Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi scheduled for March 11. This ruling signals a significant shift in how these proceedings are managed, prioritizing health issues and fairness over procedural delays.
Background to the case remains pivotal: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi are facing a £190 million graft allegation linked to their Al-Qadir Trust. Accused of misappropriating millions through this front organization focused on Islamic teachings, both were convicted by the Islamabad Accountability Court earlier this year.
Khan vehemently denies any wrongdoing, attributing the corruption reference against his wife to political motives and alleging biased prosecution. He has challenged the credibility of the evidence presented by the government and accuses the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) of destroying crucial records related to high-profile politicians, including Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif, and Asif Zardari.
Legally, Khan contends that amendments to Pakistan’s National Accountability Ordinance protect cabinet decisions from prosecution unless there is proof of personal benefit. The Islamabad High Court has acknowledged the “substance” of this claim and directed the trial court to consider it while deciding these petitions. Khan subsequently filed a civil miscellaneous application in the IHC seeking an early hearing for his appeals against the accountability court verdict.
In light of the recent ruling, both Khan’s legal team and opposition members will have ample time and context to present their arguments. The outcome could significantly impact how future corruption cases are handled within Pakistan’s judicial system.