Islamabad (HRNW)- The hearing of the petitions regarding the suspension of sentence of PTI founder Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in the 190 million pound case in the High Court has been adjourned until Monday.
The case was heard by Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif. During the hearing, the lawyer of PTI founder and Bushra Bibi, Barrister Salman Safdar, NAB Special Prosecutor Javed Ashraf and Rafe Maqsood appeared in the court.
The NAB Special Prosecutor took the position that two separate petitions have been filed regarding the admissibility of the petitions for suspension of sentence, and petitions for suspension of sentence cannot be heard without notice on appeals. He said that after the amendment in the NAB law, suspension of sentence without notice on appeals is not possible, if the party wants to present arguments on the appeals, then it should start from today.
On this occasion, Barrister Salman Safdar took the position that the founder of PTI and Bushra Bibi were sentenced in January 2025 and almost 14 months have passed, during which the prosecution is repeatedly seeking adjournment. He said that Bushra Bibi was on bail during the trial and there is also a medical ground, while it took three months to complete the arguments in the appeal of the Cipher case.
He added that at present, the hearing is not on the main appeal but on the applications for suspension of sentence and release on bail. The NAB prosecutor took the position that the applications for suspension of sentence are not scheduled for hearing today.
Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar inquired that if two days are given in a week, what arguments can be given? On this, Barrister Salman Safdar said that the founder of PTI and Bushra Bibi could not be met for the last five months, due to which instructions for arguments on the appeals could not be obtained.
The Chief Justice remarked that you take instructions, the court gives the date. Barrister Salman Safdar said that more time may be required for arguments in this case and the applications for suspension of sentence should be heard first. He pointed out that in NAB cases, women usually get bail in 15 days.
The court, describing the option given by NAB as better, suggested Barrister Salman Safdar to take two days a week, on which he requested time to take instructions from the founder of PTI and Bushra Bibi. The court adjourned the hearing till Monday.
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