In a significant development in the alleged £190 million corruption case in Pakistan, the Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued directions to the concerned authorities to allow Imran Khan to meet his lawyer.
The instructions were issued during the hearing on the application of Imran and his wife Bushra Bibi. In this case, a demand was made to suspend the sentence of both. The bench also indicated to dispose of their main appeals soon.
National Accountability Bureau (NAB) special prosecutor Javed Ashraf and senior prosecutor Rafay Maqsood appeared in the court, while barrister Salman Safdar appeared on behalf of the PTI founder. During the proceedings, the Chief Justice asked about hearing the main appeals as separate petitions seeking suspension of the sentence were also pending.
According to a report in leading daily Dawn, the court made it clear that the accused has the right to meet his legal representative and this should not be hindered in any way. The Chief Justice asked the officials to take necessary steps to facilitate Imran Khan’s meeting with his lawyer.
The days of Tuesday and Thursday were decided by the court. On this day, Imran’s family members, lawyers and party leaders can meet him. The former Prime Minister is lodged in Adiala Jail of Rawalpindi. The IHC bench also pointed towards a streamlined approach for speedy action. Regarding which the Chief Justice said that if the debate on the appeal starts, then the court can decide the case within seven days.
Meanwhile, the concerned officials have been asked to immediately comply with the court order. The next hearing of the case has been fixed for April 9. This case relates to alleged embezzlement and financial irregularities of 190 million pounds, in which serious allegations have been made against Imran Khan and his associates. During the hearing of this case, the defense had requested the court to allow Imran to consult his lawyer, so that he could prepare his defense effectively.
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