The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed authorities to arrange a one-hour meeting between former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his lawyer, Sardar Latif Khan Khosa, within two days. The order came during a hearing of appeals challenging Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi’s convictions in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case.
The court issued the direction after Khosa refused to begin arguments on the appeals until he was allowed to meet his client at Adiala Jail. The proceedings were subsequently adjourned for 10 days.
IHC Directs Authorities to Facilitate Meeting
A division bench headed by Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar heard the appeals on Tuesday.
At the beginning of the proceedings, Khosa informed the court that an earlier order permitting a meeting with Imran Khan had not been implemented.
Chief Justice Dogar clarified that the previous direction had specifically concerned Barrister Salman Safdar rather than Khosa.
The lawyer maintained that he could not properly argue the appeals without consulting his client. He made it clear that his willingness to present arguments was conditional on being granted access to Imran Khan.
The chief justice urged him to begin the proceedings and asked Islamabad Advocate General Naveed Hayat Malik whether arrangements could be made for the meeting within one or two days.
Following Khosa’s request for a one-hour consultation, the court directed the advocate general to facilitate the meeting within two days.
Lawyers Raise Concerns Over Access to Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi
During the hearing, Barrister Salman Safdar also highlighted difficulties faced by the legal team in accessing Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.
He told the court that he had met Imran after a gap of seven months and Bushra Bibi after approximately 11 months.
Safdar said the limited access had created difficulties in obtaining instructions and preparing the appeals. He also requested that the court provide the complete paper books containing approximately 3,500 pages of documents and evidence from 35 witnesses.
He maintained that sufficient preparation time was necessary before presenting arguments in the complicated corruption case.
PTI lawyer Salman Akram Raja also supported the request for meetings, asking the court to allow both lawyers to consult Imran Khan together.
However, the chief justice observed that allowing additional visitors could lead to further requests for larger groups to meet the former prime minister.
Bushra Bibi’s Health Becomes Major Concern
The defence lawyers also raised concerns about Bushra Bibi’s medical condition during the proceedings.
Safdar told the court that her eyesight had deteriorated and that she had been wearing dark glasses during their recent meeting.
He informed the bench that jail authorities had indicated another eye operation was scheduled for November 15.
The lawyer requested the formation of an independent medical board to assess her condition and provide recommendations for appropriate treatment.
PTI Raises Alarm Over Imran Khan’s Health, Seeks Urgent Supreme Court Hearing
He also argued that Bushra Bibi should be considered for temporary bail to receive medical care outside prison if necessary.
Safdar said he would regret presenting arguments in the appeals if her medical condition deteriorated further while she remained incarcerated.
Islamabad Advocate General Naveed Hayat Malik, however, maintained that the government was fulfilling its responsibilities and providing the necessary medical facilities to prisoners.
He also presented details of the treatment provided to Bushra Bibi.
The chief justice observed that applications concerning Imran Khan’s health were pending before the Federal Constitutional Court, while Safdar maintained that no corresponding case concerning Bushra Bibi was pending there.
Imran Khan’s Blood Pressure Concerns Also Raised
Safdar also conveyed concerns about Imran Khan’s health, telling the court that the former prime minister had complained about uncontrolled blood pressure.
According to the lawyer, Imran had reported that his blood pressure had exceeded 190, raising concerns about the potential risk of a brain haemorrhage.
Safdar added that Imran’s eyesight had shown some improvement.
The lawyer requested that the court ensure appropriate medical attention for both prisoners and obtain complete medical records from Adiala Jail.
Hearing of £190 Million Case Adjourned for 10 Days
The IHC ultimately directed authorities to arrange Khosa’s one-hour meeting with Imran Khan within two days.
The court also instructed that the paper books containing the relevant case documents be prepared and provided to the defence lawyers before the next hearing.
The bench directed the lawyers to begin their arguments when proceedings resume after the 10-day adjournment.
The appeals concern convictions handed down by an accountability court in January 2025, when Imran Khan was sentenced to 14 years in prison and Bushra Bibi to seven years in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) alleged that the couple received financial benefits and land from a property developer in connection with the settlement of approximately £190 million returned to Pakistan by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency.
Both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi challenged their convictions before the Islamabad High Court.
The latest proceedings highlight continuing disagreements over prison access, medical treatment and the preparation of the appeals as the legal battle moves forward.
Source: The Express Tribune and Dawn, November 10, 2026.
