ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed jail authorities to obtain and provide signed power of attorney documents for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in connection with their appeals against conviction in the £190 million case.
A two-member bench comprising IHC Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif heard the appeals on Thursday. Barrister Salman Safdar represented the appellants, while NAB Special Prosecutors Javed Arshad and Rafi Maqsood appeared for the prosecution.
Court Seeks Compliance Within Seven Days
During the hearing, Barrister Salman Safdar told the court that nearly 300 cases had been registered against Imran Khan and legal representatives had been appointed in each matter. However, he said the signed power of attorney documents had not been provided because the jail superintendent had not yet obtained the required signatures.
Safdar also informed the bench that he had not been allowed to meet his client since November last year. He added that although he was later permitted to meet Imran Khan, he had not been allowed to meet Bushra Bibi. He argued that the signed documents were necessary to pursue legal remedies before higher courts.
Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar observed that if the appellants intended to approach another court, they were entitled to receive the signed documents. Consequently, the bench directed the Advocate General’s Office to ensure compliance with its order within seven days.
Appeals Fixed for Last Week of June
Meanwhile, Safdar informed the court that Bushra Bibi was suffering from an eye problem and that consultation with her was necessary before proceeding further. The NAB prosecutor responded that the matter of the power of attorney did not fall under the bureau’s jurisdiction. Nevertheless, the court instructed the prosecution to facilitate compliance with its order.
The IHC also fixed the hearing of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi’s appeals against their convictions in the £190 million, also known as the Al-Qadir Trust, case for the last week of June.
The National Accountability Bureau alleges that the accused unlawfully adjusted Rs50 billion, equivalent to £190 million, transferred by the UK’s National Crime Agency to the Government of Pakistan in 2019. Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi have denied the allegations, and the appeals against their convictions remain pending before the Islamabad High Court.
