Islamabad, April 30: The Islamabad High Court on Wednesday heard appeals and sentence suspension applications in the £190 million case involving the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi, reserving its decision on how to proceed.

A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif conducted the hearing. Defence counsel Barrister Salman Safdar presented arguments, while NAB prosecutors Javed Ashraf and Rafi Maqsood appeared on behalf of the prosecution.

Barrister Safdar told the court he met his client on April 8 following court orders, but subsequent proceedings were delayed due to ongoing talks. He raised concerns about detention conditions, stating that the PTI founder is being held in solitary confinement for extended hours, while Bushra Bibi is also under continuous confinement.

He informed the bench about reported health concerns, including eyesight issues, and said Bushra Bibi had undergone eye surgery but was not kept in hospital as advised. He questioned whether conditions at Adiala Jail were contributing to these issues.

The defence argued that prolonged solitary confinement amounts to inhumane treatment and requested the court to summon prison officials and medical staff, as well as obtain complete medical records.

Chief Justice Dogar asked why arguments on the main appeals had not yet begun, noting that the court is ready to hear and decide the matter without delay. The bench observed that once appeals are formally taken up, applications for suspension of sentence generally become secondary.

The defence requested the court to first decide the suspension applications, stating it was the client’s instruction. The bench suggested fixing a schedule to hear the main appeals within 10 days.

The hearing also referenced related pending cases, including the Toshakhana matter. The court reserved its decision on whether to proceed with suspension applications or hear the appeals first, and adjourned proceedings.