Delays by Imran’s counsel in £190m graft case irk IHC

• Justice Dogar warns PTI founder’s lawyer that ‘law will take its course’ if arguments on appeals not presented at next hearing
• Bench orders jail authorities to facilitate signing of powers of attorney by ex-PM and his wife, adjourns matter indefinitely

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Wednesday directed counsel for PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to begin arguments at the next hearing of their appeals against their conviction in the £190 million reference, warning that “the law will take its course” if proceedings were delayed further.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfaraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif also ordered that powers of attorney for the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi be signed, while adjourning the hearing indefinitely.

During the hearing, Barrister Salman Akram Raja appeared before the court on behalf of Advocate Salman Safdar. He informed the bench that Safdar was undergoing medical treatment and would travel to Tokyo for further check-ups, rendering him unavailable for several weeks.

Chief Justice Dogar reminded counsel that at the previous hearing, the court had directed the defence to commence arguments on the appeals.

“If Salman Safdar is unavailable, can no one else argue the case?” the chief justice inquired, adding that another lawyer could represent the appellants if necessary.

The bench also referred to its earlier order allowing meetings with the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi.

Barrister Raja informed the court that signed powers of attorney had yet to be received from the incarcerated appellants.

“You met them, so the powers of attorney should also have been signed,” the chief justice remarked.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor told the court that thumb impressions and powers of attorney had already been submitted when the appeals were filed.

‘Superior forum’

Barrister Raja argued that the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi intended to challenge the rejection of their suspension of sentence pleas before a superior forum, but were unable to proceed because jail authorities had not facilitated the signing of the required documents.

Chief Justice Dogar responded that the matter concerning further appeals was separate from the pending proceedings before the high court.

“You can challenge it there; we have no objection. But today we are hearing the appeals and you are not advancing arguments,” he observed.

Raja maintained that both appellants were in state custody and denying access for the signing of legal documents amounted to a violation of fundamental rights.

He requested the court to issue the necessary directions to the superintendent of Adiala jail.

The NAB prosecutor, however, argued that objections relating to powers of attorney for proceedings before the Supreme Court of Pakistan or the Federal Constitutional Court could be raised before the relevant forum.

At one point during the exchange, the chief justice remarked to Raja: “I heard you, Raja Sahib, how many times will you say it?”

The bench subsequently directed authorities to facilitate the signing of the powers of attorney for the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi and adjourned proceedings indefinitely.

Before the conclusion of the proceedings, Chief Justice Dogar warned that arguments must commence at the next hearing.

“If Salman Safdar is not available, then another lawyer should begin arguments. If arguments are not started at the next hearing, the law will take its course,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2026