A three-judge Supreme Court panel, led by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, limited participation in former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s bail plea hearing on Wednesday, barring family members from addressing the court. The bench, which also includes Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, scheduled the next hearing for Thursday after a request for adjournment due to the special prosecutor’s illness.
Khan’s attorney, Salman Safdar, protested the repeated delays in the case, citing the Lahore High Court’s dismissal of bail last November after protracted proceedings involving multiple prosecutors. He argued these postponements unduly extended the legal battle. Chief Justice Afridi assured the court would avoid extensive adjournments, emphasizing the prosecution’s responsibility to substantiate the Lahore High Court’s ruling. He stated the prosecution must demonstrate how the lower court’s denial of bail remained valid.
When Khan’s legal representative asked the justices to permit family members present in the courtroom to speak, the Chief Justice declined, stating only legal counsel would be heard. The proceedings were adjourned until Thursday morning.