Islamabad: IHC Orders Meeting for Imran Khan in Corruption Case
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday directed authorities to facilitate jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in meeting his lawyer for consultation in the £190 million corruption case.
The instructions came during a hearing on petitions filed by Imran and his spouse Bushra Bibi seeking suspension of their sentences. The bench also indicated the possibility of an early disposal of the couple’s main appeals against their convictions.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif conducted the hearing. National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Special Prosecutor Javed Ashraf and Senior Prosecutor Rafay Maqsood appeared before the court, while Barrister Salman Safdar represented the PTI chairman.
During proceedings, the chief justice inquired about scheduling arguments for the main appeals. Barrister Safdar requested time to consult his client, prompting the court to instruct jail authorities to arrange a meeting with Imran at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
Tuesday and Thursday are designated days for Imran’s family, lawyers, and party leaders to meet him at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, although restrictions on such meetings have been reported. The IHC bench indicated a structured approach for expeditious proceedings, with the chief justice suggesting that the appeals could be decided within seven days once arguments begin.
Barrister Safdar requested that the appeals not be formally taken up until consultation with his client, also urging the court to first address suspension of sentence applications, particularly for Bushra Bibi. The hearing was adjourned until April 9 (Thursday).
Background of the £190m Case
Imran Khan has been imprisoned since August 5, 2023, for concealing details of Toshakhana gifts. He is serving a 14-year sentence in the £190 million graft case, also referred to as the Al-Qadir Trust case. An accountability court had sentenced Imran and Bushra Bibi to 14 and seven years in prison, respectively, on January 17, 2025.
The case alleges that the couple obtained billions of rupees and land from Bahria Town Ltd to legalize Rs50 billion returned to Pakistan by the United Kingdom during the PTI government. Both had challenged their convictions before the IHC on January 27, 2025.
Imran also faces another Toshakhana-related conviction from December 2025 and pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act related to the May 9, 2023, riots.
PTI leadership has repeatedly urged the high court for timely proceedings, highlighting that delays risk increasing public frustration and tensions.
