The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday adjourned the hearing of the petitions, seeking suspension of sentences awarded to former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in 190 million Pound case (Al-Qadir Trust case) until June 11 when the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) told the court it needed time to prepare arguments for the case. Acting IHC Chief Justice (CJ) Justice Sarfaraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif heard the petitions. Earlier, talking to the media at the IHC, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said he was hopeful that the nation would hear good news just two days ahead of Eidul Azha. “In routine, such cases are decided within a month,” he said, adding it was for the first time that the IHC was hearing the petitions, seeking suspension of a sentence awarded to Imran Khan. “For the first time, somebody from the prosecution would appear in the court in connection with the case.” Gohar further said that the three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif had been granted bail 70 days after his first conviction, while 51 days after he was convicted for the second time. He went on to say that on August 3, the PTI founder would complete his two years at Adiala Jail. When a reporter asked him whether former Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair was going to join the PTI, the party chairman replied that the party’s doors were open for all and sundry.
At a time when the hearing was in progress at the IHC’s courtroom, PTI leaders, including Aliya Hamza, Amir Dogar, Kanwal Shauzab and Barrister Gohar, kept shouting slogans in support of the release of Imran Khan.