The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has set March 11 as the date to hear the appeals filed by former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, challenging their convictions in the high-profile £190 million Al-Qadir Trust corruption case. This development follows the resolution of several legal objections that had previously delayed the processing of their petitions, allowing the court to move forward with scheduling the hearing.
The bench, comprising Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Azam Khan, convened on Thursday to consider miscellaneous applications submitted by Khan’s legal team. These applications requested an expedited hearing for the appeals, which have been pending for nearly a year, causing frustration among the parties involved. The court took note of procedural hurdles that had stalled progress and sought to clear the path for a timely hearing.
During the proceedings, Barrister Salman Safdar, representing the former prime minister and his wife, informed the court about technical objections raised by the registrar’s office. These included concerns over outdated power of attorney documents and improperly marked pages within the petitions, which had led to administrative confusion. The bench instructed that all remaining clerical and procedural discrepancies be corrected within a week, emphasizing the importance of adhering to court protocols to avoid further delays.
With these formalities addressed, the court officially scheduled March 11 for the hearing of both the appeals against the convictions and the applications seeking suspension of the sentences handed down to Khan and Bushra Bibi. The couple was convicted in January 2025 on charges related to alleged misuse of authority and financial irregularities connected to the Al-Qadir Trust, a charitable organization they had established. Imran Khan was sentenced to 14 years in prison, while Bushra Bibi received a seven-year term.
The defense team has consistently maintained that the convictions were founded on insufficient evidence and procedural errors. They have also requested that the sentences be suspended, citing both legal arguments and medical reasons, including Khan’s reported eye condition, which they argue requires urgent attention and care. The upcoming hearing is expected to thoroughly examine these claims and the validity of the original verdicts.
Notably, during Thursday’s session, the court expressed displeasure over a group of lawyers who approached the bench in large numbers, raising concerns about potential attempts to exert undue influence on the judicial process. Barrister Salman Safdar promptly denied any such intentions, assuring the court that their conduct was strictly professional and respectful of judicial independence.
In addition to the Al-Qadir Trust case, the court also dealt with related appeals in the Toshakhana-II matter, which involves allegations that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi unlawfully retained a Bulgari jewelry set. Objections to these petitions were similarly withdrawn, and the court ordered that these appeals be formally numbered and scheduled for future hearings. This coordinated approach signals the judiciary’s intent to address all pending legal challenges involving the couple in a systematic manner.
As the March 11 hearing approaches, all eyes remain on the Islamabad High Court to see how it navigates these complex and politically sensitive cases. The outcomes could have significant implications for the former prime minister’s political future as well as for the broader discourse on accountability and the rule of law in Pakistan.
