In a notable legal development, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, along with his wife Bushra Bibi, have approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking an expedited hearing of their appeals in the high-profile £190 million case.
The petitions, filed through legal counsel Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry, contend that Imran Khan is being politically victimised, and that delays in the appellate process are obstructing the delivery of justice. The couple maintains that the continued postponement is not only unjustified but may compromise the fairness of the proceedings.
Call for Urgency
In their plea, the petitioners expressed concern over the lack of progress during the previous hearing, stressing that swift judicial intervention is critical. “The delay is causing undue prejudice and may result in the denial of justice,” the petition stated, urging the court to prioritise the appeals and list them for early hearing.
The Islamabad High Court has acknowledged receipt of the appeals, assigning them a diary number, a procedural step that signals the case could be listed for hearing in the coming days.
Background of the Case
The £190 million case revolves around allegations of financial misconduct linked to a settlement with the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA). Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were convicted earlier this year by an accountability court, which found them guilty of allegedly misusing authority in the matter.
The conviction was seen by PTI and its supporters as part of a broader political crackdown aimed at sidelining Imran Khan from national politics. He is currently imprisoned following convictions in multiple cases, though he continues to challenge these verdicts in higher courts.
Political Undertones
Legal experts and political analysts note that the request for an urgent hearing may be strategically timed, as the PTI leadership seeks relief from legal setbacks and attempts to reassert its presence in Pakistan’s political landscape.
Supporters of the PTI founder argue that the ongoing legal battles are rooted in efforts to diminish his political influence, particularly as the party remains a formidable force despite recent challenges. The party has consistently denied any wrongdoing in the £190 million case, claiming the legal action is part of a campaign to keep Imran Khan out of the public sphere.
With the appeals now formally submitted and a diary number issued, the ball is in the IHC’s court. A decision on whether to fast-track the case could come soon, potentially reshaping the legal narrative surrounding one of Pakistan’s most watched cases.
If the Islamabad High Court agrees to expedite proceedings, it could set the stage for a critical phase in Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi’s legal fight — and possibly have broader implications for PTI’s future in Pakistan’s political arena.
