ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday directed the advocate general Islamabad to ensure meetings within 7-day time between former prime minister Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and their legal team to facilitate legal formalities in appeals against their conviction in the £190 million reference.
A IHC division bench comprising Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif heard the appeals against the accountability court’s verdict in the high-profile National Accountability Bureau (NAB) reference, also known as the Al-Qadir Trust case.
During the hearing, defence counsel Barrister Salman Safdar informed the court that despite repeated attempts, he had been unable to meet his client, who remains incarcerated at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. He said the lack of access had prevented him from obtaining instructions or securing a signed vakalatnama required to proceed with the appeals.
The lawyer stated that jail authorities had consistently denied meetings with the former prime minister, making it difficult to move forward with the legal process. He also noted that NAB had filed an application arguing that petitions related to suspension of sentences had become ineffective after the main appeals were fixed for hearing.
Safdar maintained that without instructions from his client, he could not properly represent the appellants. He further argued that, in light of a recent Supreme Court judgment in a similar matter, the same relief should be extended to Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.
He told the bench that his last meeting with Bushra Bibi took place in December last year, after which no further access had been granted by prison authorities.
Chief Justice Dogar questioned the absence of the advocate general Islamabad, observing that it was the responsibility of the law officer to ensure lawyers are granted access to incarcerated clients when required for court proceedings.
The bench noted that the court had previously facilitated a meeting between Imran Khan and his counsel, which had already taken place. It further asked whether a duly signed vakalatnama had been submitted, to which the counsel replied in the negative.
Safdar argued that continued denial of access was obstructing legal proceedings and risking procedural deadlines.
Expressing concern, the chief justice remarked that denial of access to legal representation was unfortunate and could hinder the administration of justice.
The court directed the advocate general Islamabad to arrange meetings between Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, and their legal counsel within seven days to complete formal requirements, including execution of the vakalatnama and obtaining instructions.
Further hearing of the case was adjourned until after compliance with the court’s order.
Imran Khan has been imprisoned since August 5, 2023, and is serving a 14-year sentence in the Al-Qadir Trust reference, while Bushra Bibi is serving a seven-year sentence following the accountability court’s verdict announced on January 17, 2025. Both have challenged their convictions before the IHC.
The reference alleges that the couple received financial benefits and land from Bahria Town Ltd in connection with funds identified and repatriated to Pakistan by the United Kingdom during the previous PTI government.
Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi meet in Adiala Jail, spend 45 minutes together
