ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday ordered that lawyer Salman Safdar be allowed to meet former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Adiala jail at 2pm today (Wednesday) in connection with the ₹190 million case.
A division bench, comprising IHC Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif, heard appeals filed by Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi against their convictions in the corruption case, along with pleas for stay of sentence and other miscellaneous petitions.
These included requests to facilitate a prison meeting with Imran for legal consultation and an early hearing on Bushra Bibi’s suspension application.
Lawyer Salman Safdar represented the PTI founder, while NAB special prosecutor Javed Ashraf and Rafi Maqsood represented the prosecution.
From the outset, the chief judge approved the request for a meeting with the founder of the PTI, allowing the lawyer to consult his client. Safdar requested that the meeting be scheduled for 2 p.m., which the court agreed.
He further urged the court to first consider Bushra Bibi’s stay application. The chief justice responded that appeals could also be scheduled for hearing and heard twice a week.
Justice Dogar said once the proceedings begin, the court could decide the matter within seven days.
Safdar, however, requested that the appeals not be disposed of immediately, saying he would first meet his client and then assist the court after consultation. He reiterated that Bushra Bibi’s request for suspension could be decided first.
The court ordered the prison authorities to ensure the meeting at 2 p.m. and adjourned the hearing to Thursday, April 9.
During the proceedings, the special prosecutor requested that the case be set for Monday. The Chief Justice noted that the court schedules cases based on its availability and cannot commit to specific dates in advance.
The capital’s High Court on March 31 gave lawyers for Imran Khan and his wife time to consult with clients whether they wanted the court to first hear their main appeals in the £190 million case.
Later, on April 4, Salman Safdar filed a petition with the IHC, requesting that Adiala Prison authorities allow him to meet his imprisoned clients to discuss legal issues related to the £190 million case.
In his petition, Safdar claimed that since December 20, 2025, the PTI founder has not been able to hold a meaningful or effective meeting with his lawyers.
She argued that for approximately three months and 12 days he was deprived of adequate legal access, which impaired his ability to prepare proceedings in a matter of significant legal importance.
The petition named the Chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Inspector General of Prisons Punjab and Superintendent of Adiala Prison as respondents.
