ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court scheduled June 29 to hear the appeals of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, against their convictions in the 190 million pound case. Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif will head the division bench. The legal challenge targets a trial court verdict concerning the settlement of funds from the UK National Crime Agency and land transfers involving the Al-Qadir Trust.
The couple also filed contempt of court petitions over alleged delays in securing signed powers of attorney from Adiala Jail. Defense counsel previously blamed procedural hurdles and restricted inmate access for missing a seven-day court deadline. However, the Adiala Jail superintendent refuted these claims in a new submission to the court. The official stated that authorities prepared and signed the documents on June 16, notifying defense lawyer Barrister Salman Safdar via text message that same day.
Jail authorities attached a screenshot of the text message to their filing, alleging that the defense team intentionally avoided collecting the documents before a June 18 hearing. This revelation complicated the defense position, as Barrister Safdar had repeatedly requested adjournments by claiming he could not meet his clients to finalize the paperwork.
The division bench previously warned the defense that it must present arguments at the upcoming session. The court stated it would decide the case using the existing record if the lawyers failed to proceed. This high-profile hearing will determine the next legal phase for the imprisoned political leader and his spouse.
