190 Million Pound Case: Islamabad High Court Orders Signatures on Power of Attorney for PTI Founder and Bushra Bibi

(Digital Itla) A division bench of the Islamabad High Court, comprising Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif, has directed lawyers to begin arguments in the appeals filed against the convictions of PTI founder and in the £190 million case. The court also ordered that signatures be obtained on their power of attorney documents.

While adjourning the hearing indefinitely, Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar remarked that the lawyers for the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi must begin arguments at the next hearing. He warned that if lawyer Salman Safdar is unavailable, another counsel should proceed with the case, otherwise “the law will take its course.”

During the hearing, Barrister Salman Akram Raja informed the court that he was appearing on behalf of Salman Safdar, who is currently facing health issues and undergoing treatment. He further stated that Salman Safdar would travel to Tokyo for medical examinations and would remain unavailable for several weeks.

Chief Justice Dogar questioned whether no other lawyer could argue the appeals in Salman Safdar’s absence. The court also recalled that during the previous hearing, orders had been issued to facilitate meetings with the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi.

Salman Akram Raja informed the bench that the signed power of attorney documents had still not been received. The Chief Justice remarked that since meetings had already taken place, the signatures could also have been obtained at that time.

The NAB prosecutor argued that thumb impressions and power of attorney documents had already been submitted at the time the appeals were filed. Salman Akram Raja maintained that the High Court had earlier rejected the suspension of sentences pleas, and the affected parties wished to challenge that decision but were unable to obtain the required documents.

Chief Justice Dogar responded that such matters could be challenged separately, but the court was currently hearing the appeals themselves. Raja further argued that since the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi were in judicial custody, denying them permission to sign the documents would amount to a violation of fundamental rights.

The court was requested to issue directions to the superintendent of Adiala Jail. Meanwhile, the NAB prosecutor argued that objections related to filing appeals before the Supreme Court or the Federal Constitutional Court could be raised before the relevant forum.

The Chief Justice remarked that they were free to approach the Federal Constitutional Court, but the current bench was concerned with the pending appeals. Addressing Salman Akram Raja during the proceedings, the Chief Justice said, “We have heard you, Raja Sahib. How many times will you repeat the same point?”

The court later directed that signatures be obtained on the power of attorney documents of the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi and adjourned the hearing indefinitely.