The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed jail authorities to obtain and provide signed powers of attorney for former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in connection with their appeals against convictions in the £190 Million Case. The court instructed officials to complete the process within seven days and ensure the required documents are handed over to the defence counsel.
The matter was heard by a two member bench headed by Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar along with Justice Muhammad Asif. During the proceedings, defence lawyer Barrister Salman Safdar informed the court that he had been unable to obtain signed powers of attorney despite repeated efforts. He argued that the lack of access to his clients had delayed legal preparations and prevented him from receiving proper instructions regarding the appeals.
Safdar told the court that hundreds of cases have been registered against Imran Khan and legal representation has been arranged for each matter. However, he maintained that the absence of signed legal documents created difficulties in pursuing further legal remedies and approaching higher courts if necessary.
The court questioned why the required paperwork had not yet been completed and sought explanations from relevant authorities. The chief justice observed that if the appellants intended to seek relief from another judicial forum, they were entitled to receive the signed documents without unnecessary delay.
The defence also raised concerns regarding Bushra Bibi’s health, stating that she was experiencing eye related issues and required consultation with her legal team. Following the arguments, the court directed the Advocate General’s Office to ensure compliance with its order and facilitate the signing process within the specified timeframe.
In addition, the IHC fixed the hearing of appeals against the convictions in the Al Qadir Trust case, commonly known as the £190 Million Case, for the last week of June. The case remains one of the most closely watched legal matters in Pakistan’s political landscape, with future proceedings expected to attract significant public attention.
