The founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and his spouse, Bushra Bibi, have filed separate appeals in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, requesting the suspension of their sentences in the £190 million reference. The petitions also challenge the verdict of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), which had rejected their earlier pleas for sentence suspension.
Appeals Challenge IHC Decision
In the appeals submitted to the apex court, the petitioners argued that the IHC dismissed their applications for suspension of sentence despite repeated adjournments sought by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). They contended that the high court overlooked crucial legal aspects of the case. The petitioners maintained that the IHC rejected their pleas without conducting a preliminary assessment of the evidence, describing the decision as contrary to the principles of justice.
Allegations of Procedural Irregularities
The appeals also alleged that jail authorities deliberately delayed obtaining signatures on legal documents, impeding the petitioners' access to justice. Furthermore, the petitions claimed that the PTI founder has lost 85 percent of vision in his right eye, while Bushra Bibi underwent eye surgery during her imprisonment without her family or legal representatives being informed. According to the petitions, both individuals were unlawfully kept in a cell at Adiala Jail, where solitary confinement allegedly caused them severe mental distress.
Health Concerns and Injustice
The appeals argued that refusing to suspend the sentences despite serious health issues amounts to injustice. The petitioners also alleged that NAB repeatedly sought adjournments, unnecessarily prolonging the proceedings and delaying justice. They further argued that bail had been granted to them during the trial and that some allegations had already been declared baseless, making the refusal to suspend their sentences inconsistent with legal principles.
Unlawful Arrest and Political Motivation
The petitions also claimed that their arrest was unlawful, pointing out that a superior court had previously ordered their release in connection with the same case. They further alleged that the accountability proceedings were politically motivated and did not meet the standards of a fair trial. The petitioners have requested the Supreme Court to overturn the IHC decision, suspend their sentences, and order their release.
