WTP Report
Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday directed jail authorities to arrange a meeting between incarcerated Imran Khan and his counsel Salman Safdar at 2pm on Wednesday.
The directive was issued by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif during the hearing of petitions related to the £190 million case and pleas seeking suspension of sentences awarded to Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi.
Special prosecutors from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Javed Ashraf and Rafi Maqsood, appeared before the court, while Barrister Safdar represented the PTI founder.
The court allowed Safdar’s request to meet his client, instructing authorities to facilitate the meeting at the proposed time. Chief Justice Dogar advised the counsel to consult with Khan before proceeding with arguments in the appeals, noting that hearings could subsequently be scheduled twice a week.
During the proceedings, Safdar also urged the bench to expedite hearings on applications seeking suspension of sentences, particularly that of Bushra Bibi.
The chief justice indicated that once arguments commence, the court aims to decide the appeals within a week.
The hearing also addressed miscellaneous applications, including requests for early hearing and facilitation of legal consultations. Proceedings had earlier been delayed due to the bench’s unavailability.
Khan, who has been imprisoned since August 2023, faces multiple cases ranging from corruption to terrorism following his removal from office through a no-confidence vote in April 2022.
Previously, Safdar—appointed as amicus curiae by the court—reported concerns regarding Khan’s health, including significant vision loss in one eye. According to submissions before the court,
Khan has been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). The IHC had earlier directed authorities to constitute a medical board to evaluate his condition.
