Islamabad: Former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have challenged the £190 million case verdict in the Supreme Court. They also filed petitions seeking suspension of their sentences and immediate release after the Islamabad High Court rejected their earlier appeals. The petitions argue that the high court’s decision was contrary to the principles of justice.
The petitions state that the Islamabad High Court overlooked key legal issues despite declaring the appeals maintainable. They argue that the court dismissed the sentence suspension requests without conducting a preliminary review of the evidence. The applicants requested the Supreme Court to set aside the high court’s order and suspend their sentences.
The petitions also cite health concerns, claiming Imran Khan developed an eye condition during imprisonment and was transferred outside jail for treatment. They further state that both petitioners suffered serious health problems and mental distress due to prolonged solitary confinement. The filings allege that hearings on the sentence suspension applications were repeatedly delayed.
According to the petitions, the National Accountability Bureau repeatedly sought adjournments, causing delays in the appeal process. They argue that courts are legally permitted to examine the basic merits of a case when deciding sentence suspension requests. The petitions claim rejecting the applications without an initial assessment of evidence was legally flawed.
The petitions further contend that the arrests were unlawful and politically motivated under the guise of accountability. They argue that despite amendments to NAB laws, the sentence suspension appeals remain maintainable before the Supreme Court. The petitioners requested the court to overturn the Islamabad High Court’s ruling, suspend their sentences, and order their release.