The IHC on Thursday directed the authorities to obtain and provide signed vakalatnamas (powers of attorney) from PTI founder and his spouse Bushra Bibi for filing an appeal before the SC against a previous court order. A two-member division bench comprising Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif heard appeals.
During the hearing, Barrister Salman Safdar informed the court that his clients intended to challenge the IHC’s April 30 order, under which the main appeals against conviction were to be heard instead of the applications seeking suspension of sentences.
He submitted that despite court directions, jail authorities had not facilitated signatures on the vakalatnamas. He further stated that while a meeting with the PTI founder had been arranged pursuant to court orders, Bushra Bibi had not been allowed a meeting for the past six months and was facing health issues related to her eyesight. Addressing the NAB prosecutor, CJ Dogar observed that if the petitioners intended to approach a higher forum, they required signed vakalatnamas and questioned why the documents had not yet been provided.
The NAB prosecutor responded that the matter did not fall within NAB’s domain.
Barrister Safdar argued that the delay in obtaining signatures could adversely affect the limitation period for filing an appeal before the Supreme Court.
The court subsequently directed the Advocate General’s Office to ensure implementation of the order within seven days and facilitate the signing and provision of the vakalatnamas.
The hearing was adjourned until the last week of June.
Separately, the SC issued notices to the respondents and sought replies within three weeks during the hearing of a case concerning restrictions on meetings with Imran, access by family members and his personal physician, and his proposed transfer to Shifa Hospital.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar heard the case.
During the proceedings, the court issued notices to the Superintendent of Adiala Jail, the Home Secretary Punjab, the Advocate General Islamabad, and the Advocate General Punjab, directing them to submit their responses within three weeks.
The SC subsequently adjourned further proceedings in the case.