Islamabad — Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyer Salman Akram Raja has termed the prolonged delay in the sentence appeals of former prime minister Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi “unacceptable,” vowing to continue legal efforts to ensure an early hearing.

Speaking to media outside the Islamabad High Court, Raja highlighted that the right to a sentence appeal is a basic legal entitlement for every convicted individual and cannot be sidelined through repeated adjournments.

He pointed out that while the main case involves extensive documentation—including thousands of pages of records and statements from 35 witnesses—the sentence appeal is a separate matter and should be heard independently without delay.

“The law is clear, especially in cases involving women, that a decision on sentence suspension should be made within 50 days,” Raja said. “But here, 14 months have passed and the appeal has still not been heard. There is no justification for this delay.”

He also referred to the Supreme Court’s consistent stance against unnecessary adjournments, questioning why the practice continues despite clear judicial guidance.

According to Raja, the appeals of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were scheduled for hearing, but proceedings could not move forward as expected. He stressed that the legal team has repeatedly insisted on taking up the sentence appeals, calling it a matter of fundamental rights and due process.

“The passage of time itself has become a major concern. Fourteen months without a hearing raises serious questions about access to justice,” he added.

Raja confirmed that the case has once again been adjourned and is expected to be taken up in the coming days, where arguments will continue.

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He concluded by warning that continued delays not only affect the individuals involved but also erode public confidence in the justice system, reiterating PTI’s demand for timely hearings and adherence to legal procedures.