Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his spouse, Bushra Bibi, have requested an expedited hearing of their appeals to suspend their sentences in the Al-Qadir Trust case, involving 190 million pounds. The couple submitted applications to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday, seeking an urgent review. The last proceeding in this prominent case occurred on June 26, and no subsequent hearing has been planned. The latest filings, submitted through Barrister Salman Safdar, urge the court to promptly schedule the appeals.
The initial sentence was issued on January 17, with the appeal lodged on January 27. The first hearing on the suspension requests transpired on May 15. Since that time, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has consistently requested postponements, leading to protracted legal proceedings. Despite promises made during the prior hearing, the applications remain unscheduled. The petitioners implore the court to address this issue urgently. The IHC has assigned a diary number to the recent filings.
The IHC has declared a summer recess from July 1 to August 30. Although bail applications are being addressed during this period, the schedule for Khan”s bail and sentence suspension appeals in the 190 million pounds case is unclear. Presently, both judges on the designated bench are at the IHC. Should they take leave, an alternative bench may be formed to manage the case.