Hearing of Imran Khan, Bushra pleas for sentence suspension in Al-Qadir Trust case put off 

The hearing of the petitions filed by former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, seeking the suspension of their sentences in the 190 million-pound case (Al-Qadir Trust case), was adjourned until October 16 due to the absence of Special Prosecutor Arshad Javed Bhatti, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

A two-member bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), comprising IHC Chief Justice (CJ) Justice Sarfaraz Dogar and Justice Azam Khan, heard the petitions. 

The court staff informed the petitioners’ lawyers about the development.

Counsel for Imran Khan, Barrister Salman Safdar, who appeared in the court, raised the issue of the obstacles created in the way of lawyers on their way to the courtroom. “We are professional lawyers. We have been appearing in courts for the last so many years. But never ever did we create a law and order situation,” he added.

Barrister Ali Zafar and Salman Akram Raja made similar complaints. 

The CJ said he apologized to the lawyers for the inconvenience they had to face. 

The last time, the hearing was held on June 26.

An accountability court (AC) had on January 17, 2025 sentenced the former prime minister and his wife in the 190 million Pound case to 14 and seven years, respectively.  

In addition to the prison terms, the court imposed fines of Rs1 million on Imran and Rs500,000 on Bushra, and made it clear that if the fines are not paid, Imran will serve an additional six months in prison, and Bushra Bibi will face an extra three months.

The verdict also declared that the property of the " Al-Qadir University Project Trust, is to be forfeited to the Federal Government in accordance with Section 10(a) of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999.

Reporters: Hashir Warraich and Ihtesham Kiani