Al-Qadir Trust case: IHC gives defence two weeks to begin arguments in Imran, Bushra's appeals

Islamabad High Court Grants Final Adjournment in Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi's £190 Million Case Appeals

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has granted a final two-week adjournment to the legal team of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi in their appeals against conviction in the £190 million corruption reference, commonly known as the Al-Qadir Trust case. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfaraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif, issued a written order warning that no further delays would be tolerated and that the appeals would be decided on the available record if arguments were not presented at the next hearing.

The case pertains to allegations by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi obtained billions of rupees and land worth hundreds of kanals from a real estate firm in exchange for legalising Rs50 billion that was identified and returned to the country by the United Kingdom during the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. An accountability court in Islamabad sentenced Imran and Bushra to 14 and seven years in prison, respectively, on January 17, 2025.

During a hearing on Tuesday, Imran's counsel, Sardar Latif Khosa, sought a two-week adjournment. The court accepted the request after Khosa gave an unequivocal undertaking that he would not seek any further adjournment on any ground whatsoever and would argue the appeal on its merits at the next hearing. The court's order stated: "The request for adjournment is acceded to. It is, however, made abundantly clear that this shall constitute the final opportunity." The bench further directed that if the counsel failed to advance arguments at the next hearing, no further adjournment would be granted, and the appeal would be decided on the basis of the available record after hearing the counsel for the respondents.

In a separate development, the IHC dismissed contempt of court petitions filed by Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. The petitions had alleged a delay in complying with court directions to submit signed powers of attorney. During the hearing, the bench expressed displeasure when members of the defence team approached the rostrum together. Chief Justice Dogar remarked that the court would not be influenced and noted that signed powers of attorney had already been received. Barrister Salman Safdar, a member of the defence team, contended that although the jail authorities had now provided powers of attorney relating to the IHC proceedings, the remaining documents were yet to be furnished. The chief justice responded that those documents would also be provided.

Islamabad Advocate General Naveed Malik argued that during a previous hearing, the defence had misled the court by stating that the powers of attorney had been signed on June 16, while failing to disclose that the jail superintendent had contacted counsel on June 18 to facilitate the execution of the documents. The bench observed that since the powers of attorney had now been signed, the contempt petitions had become infructuous.

The court also directed the advocate general to arrange a meeting between Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi and their legal counsel within seven days to facilitate the filing and prosecution of appeals. This directive came after Barrister Salman Safdar informed the court that despite repeated efforts, he had been unable to meet his clients, who remain incarcerated at Rawalpindi's Adiala jail. He submitted that jail authorities had consistently denied him access, and that his last meeting with Bushra Bibi had taken place in December last year. Chief Justice Dogar questioned the absence of the advocate general, observing that the law officer was responsible for ensuring that legal counsel were granted access to incarcerated clients whenever required for court proceedings.

A hearing for the appeals has been scheduled for June 29, according to the cause list issued by the registrar's office. However, in a fresh response submitted to the IHC, the Adiala jail superintendent claimed the defence had misled the court. The superintendent said the powers of attorney were prepared and signed on June 16, and that defence counsel Barrister Salman Safdar was informed through a text message the same day. A screenshot of the message was attached to the court filing. The response said the lawyers deliberately did not obtain the documents before a June 18 hearing. This surprised the court, as Safdar had sought multiple adjournments, maintaining he was unable to meet his clients to complete the formalities.

In an earlier hearing, the bench had warned the defence counsel that if arguments were not advanced on the next date, the court would proceed with the matter based on the available record. The case continues to draw attention as it involves a former prime minister and his spouse, and the court has signalled its intention to expedite proceedings.