£190mn case: IHC orders jail authorities to facilitate Imran’s meeting with counsel

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday directed prison authorities to facilitate a legal meeting between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his counsel, Barrister Salman Safdar, as the court resumed hearing pleas seeking the suspension of sentences in the £190 million case, social media accounts of the PTI reported.

A division bench, comprising Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif, presided over the proceedings. During the hearing, the court approved a miscellaneous application for a legal consultation, ordering jail officials to ensure the meeting takes place at 2:00pm on Wednesday.

Chief Justice Dogar remarked that the court was prepared to hear the appeals twice a week to allow the legal team regular access to their client. He further noted that a decision regarding the suspension of Bushra Bibi’s sentence could be reached promptly, adding that if arguments on the main appeal commence, a final verdict could be delivered within seven days.

However, the chief justice cautioned against “unnecessarily sensationalising” judicial proceedings, clarifying that the court’s Monday schedule is often subject to administrative engagements that cannot always be predicted. Barrister Safdar maintained that he would provide full assistance to the court once he had consulted with his client in person.

The IHC subsequently adjourned the hearing until Thursday.