IHC admits appeals against PTI founder, Bushra Bibi’s convictions in £190 mln case

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has admitted appeals filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, challenging their convictions in the £190 million case.

The court has scheduled the hearing of the appeals for November 18.

A two-member bench comprising IHC Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif will hear the appeals.

The court has sought arguments from the parties in connection with the appeals challenging the convictions.

Meanwhile, in compliance with the court’s directions, a meeting between Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi and their lawyers had also been arranged.

According to the two-page order issued by IHC Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif, lawyers Salman Safdar and Latif Khosa must restrict their discussions with Imran Khan to legal matters and avoid political discussions.

The court observed that both lawyers, being professionals with legal expertise, should limit themselves to matters concerning the ongoing legal proceedings.

The written order further directed the Advocate General to arrange meetings between Imran Khan and his lawyers, with each meeting lasting no less than one hour.

During the hearing, Latif Khosa informed the court that he could not present arguments due to the lack of a meeting with his client.

Salman Safdar, however, told the court that he had received instructions regarding the appeal but the duration of the meeting had been insufficient.

The IHC also directed its office to complete the preparation of paper books for the appeals in the £190 million case within seven days.