IHC orders jail authorities to provide signed power of attorney for Imran, Bushra in £190m case

Barrister Safdar tells court that numerous cases had been registered against his clients and that different legal representatives had been engaged in each matter

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday directed jail authorities to obtain and submit signed powers of attorney for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in connection with their appeals against conviction in the £190 million case.

A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif heard the petitions. Barrister Salman Safdar represented the appellants, while the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutors appeared on behalf of the prosecution.

During the proceedings, Barrister Safdar informed the court that numerous cases had been registered against his clients and that different legal representatives had been engaged in each matter. He said he had reservations over a previous court order and noted that although the main appeals were scheduled for hearing, procedural issues regarding suspension applications remained unresolved.

He further stated that he had not appeared on an earlier hearing date as he intended to challenge the order before a higher forum. Safdar added that despite filing an application, objections were raised by the court office.

When questioned by the chief justice regarding the absence of powers of attorney, Safdar said the jail authorities had not provided signed documents as required. He maintained that he had been unable to meet his clients for several months, adding that court directions regarding meetings had not been fully implemented.

Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar observed that without valid powers of attorney, procedural representation could not be established and questioned why alternate legal arrangements had not been made in time.

Safdar also informed the bench that he had been allowed to meet Imran Khan but not Bushra Bibi, adding that jail authorities had not facilitated the signing of necessary legal documents required for moving higher courts.

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He further stated that Bushra Bibi was facing a medical issue and required legal consultation.

The court directed the National Accountability Bureau prosecutor to ensure compliance with its earlier order, while noting that the issue primarily fell within the jurisdiction of jail authorities and the Advocate General’s office. The bench questioned the absence of relevant officials during the hearing.

Chief Justice Dogar remarked that if the appellants intended to approach a higher forum, they must be provided with duly signed legal documents without unnecessary delay. The court also instructed that the process should not be allowed to lapse due to procedural inaction.

Later, the IHC ordered the Advocate General’s office to ensure completion of the process within seven days and directed jail authorities to provide the signed powers of attorney to the counsel of the former prime minister and former first lady.

The court also fixed the hearing of the appeals against their convictions in the £190 million case for the last week of June.

The case, commonly referred to as the Al-Qadir Trust reference, relates to allegations that funds worth approximately £190 million—returned by the UK’s National Crime Agency during PTI’s tenure in 2019—were adjusted in a manner that allegedly benefited a property tycoon. The reference, filed by NAB in December 2023, accuses the former prime minister of approving the settlement without full disclosure of its terms.