Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi’s defence counsel, Salman Safdar, on Thursday requested the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to summon the Punjab Inspector General of Prisons, Mian Farooq Nazir, and authorities from Shifa International Hospital, along with their complete medical records, during an appeal hearing against their convictions in the £190 million case.
At the start of the hearing, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutors Javed Ashraf and Rafi Maqsood appeared before the court, alongside defence counsel Salman Safdar.
Safdar informed the court that he was grateful for the permission granted on April 8 to meet his client but noted that proceedings had been delayed on April 9 due to peace talks. He also stated that despite requests, he was not allowed to meet Bushra Bibi, adding, “My last meeting with Bushra Bibi was in December 2025.”
Raising concerns about health and detention conditions, Safdar told the court, “Imran Khan’s eyesight has been reduced to 15%, with 85% of his vision lost.” He added that the damage to his eye appeared to be permanent.
Safdar questioned the conditions in which his clients were being held, stating, “One issue is the eye problem, and the second is why they are being kept in solitary confinement.” He mentioned that Imran had informed him that he could not see properly from one eye and that doctors had reportedly told him the condition was irreversible.
The lawyer pointed out that Imran had been transferred to the hospital multiple times and that such treatment was not possible at Adiala Jail. “It has now escalated to the point where we are calling for the IG Prisons, superintendent, and deputy superintendent to be summoned,” Safdar said. He also requested the court to order the hospital to provide complete medical records.
Safdar argued that he had reviewed the judgment 17 times and found no mention of solitary confinement. He further stated, “Keeping someone in solitary confinement for a prolonged period is torture.”
He added that Bushra Bibi was also affected in the case, noting, “She was arrested at the time of the judgment.”
The IHC Chief Justice, Sarfraz Dogar, asked Safdar why he was not focusing on the main appeal. He explained that the court would dispose of the main appeal as soon as possible. The CJ added that appeals were being heard regularly and could be decided quickly if arguments were scheduled. However, Safdar insisted that the suspension applications should be decided first.
The court also discussed procedural matters, including the availability of power of attorney documents. The CJ remarked on the hearing schedule flexibility, stating that the court could hear appeals within days if arguments were scheduled.
Safdar reiterated his request for the court to call the Punjab Prisons IG and the hospital authorities, along with the complete medical record.