SC fixes hearing for 13 Imran, Bushra Bibi petitions on Feb 9

The Supreme Court convened on Saturday to schedule multiple petitions concerning Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi. Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan have been appointed to a two-judge bench for hearing the cases at 9 AM on Monday.

Among these hearings are the appeals filed by the Punjab government against both Imran Khan’s and Bushra Bibi’s bail grants. The court also took up the appeal against the Election Commission’s criminal complaint filed against Imran, as well as the case against the former premier for his role in the Al-Qadir Trust scandal.

The Supreme Court also addressed appeals made by Imran in relation to the cipher case, where he was acquitted along with his former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. Additionally, the government’s appeal on behalf of the ex-prime minister in the May 9 Lahore cases was heard.

Several defamation cases brought against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif were also scheduled for hearing by Imran’s appeals team.

The Supreme Court directed all parties and their counsel to prepare for these hearings. Imran has been behind bars since August last year, serving a £190 million corruption case at Adiala Jail. Simultaneously, he is facing ongoing trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act due to his role in the May 9, 2023, protests.

PTI has voiced concerns about Imran’s health, demanding that medical treatment be administered by his own team of physicians.

These hearings underscore a complex web of legal challenges surrounding Imran Khan and his political party.