The Islamabad High Court has directed that senior PTI lawyers Latif Khosa and Salman Safdar be allowed to meet former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi at Adiala jail. The order came during the hearing of appeals filed by the couple against their convictions in the £190 million case.
A division bench headed by IHC Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif heard the matter. Lawyer Latif Khosa informed the court that he had repeatedly requested a meeting with Imran Khan but was not allowed. When the chief justice asked how long the meeting should last, Khosa requested at least one hour. The court then directed the Islamabad advocate general to arrange the meetings with both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.
Barrister Salman Safdar also sought another meeting. He told the court that he had met Imran Khan after seven months and Bushra Bibi after eleven months. According to Safdar, Imran Khan said his eyesight had improved but his blood pressure remained uncontrolled, raising fears of a possible brain haemorrhage. Safdar further expressed concern over Bushra Bibi’s eyesight and said she is scheduled for another operation on November 15. He requested a medical board to examine her, arguing that proper treatment is difficult inside jail. The advocate general presented medical records and said she is receiving treatment. The chief justice noted that health related matters are pending before the Federal Constitutional Court.
The court also discussed the preparation of paper books for the appeals. Safdar said the documents had not yet been provided, making it hard to prepare arguments. The chief justice granted more time and asked the lawyers to begin arguments at the next hearing.
An accountability court earlier sentenced Imran Khan to 14 years in prison with a fine of Rs1 million, while Bushra Bibi received seven years and a fine of Rs500,000. The case involves allegations that Rs50 billion, equal to £190 million at the time, was adjusted during Imran Khan’s tenure through a settlement with Britain’s National Crime Agency linked to a property tycoon’s assets.
