Islamabad, Pakistan – The Islamabad High Court has set March 11 as the date to hear petitions filed by former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi. They are seeking to suspend their convictions in the infamous £190 million corruption case.
The case is of exceptional importance
During Thursday’s hearing, a panel of judges including Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Azam Khan presided.
Consequently, a striking scene unfolded in the courtroom when dozens of lawyers affiliated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party simultaneously approached the bench.
They were clearly displeased by the judges. The Chief Justice asked sternly, “What is this? Are you trying to influence the court?” Imran Khan’s lawyer, Salman Sardar, categorically denied any such intent.
Sardar emphasized the exceptional importance of the case. In particular, he noted Bushra Bibi’s deteriorating health, including an eye infection. He pointed out that she was serving a seven-year prison sentence despite her poor health.
Moreover, her request for a stay of execution had remained pending for six months. He explicitly requested the court to suspend the sentence issued on November 9th. He also asked for a hearing to be scheduled for the following week.
Limited results
However, Chief Justice Dugar noted that most requests for expedited hearings had yielded limited results.
Therefore, he ordered the dismissal of the Bureau’s objections to the stays of proceedings.
He also directed the Registrar’s Office to schedule the hearings for the petitions seeking to suspend the sentences and the major criminal appeals for March 11.
In a related matter, Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro dismissed the Bureau’s objections to the petitions related to the Tushakhana case. That case concerns a collection of luxury Bulgari jewelry.
The court ordered the Registrar’s Office to number these petitions alongside the appeals against the couple’s convictions.
It also ordered them to schedule hearings according to established policy.
The £190 million case is one of the most prominent legal challenges Imran Khan has faced since his removal from the premiership. This comes amidst a highly complex political and judicial landscape in Pakistan.
