Imran, Bushra move SC for release in £190m case

Former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have approached Pakistan's Supreme Court, seeking suspension of their sentences in the

Former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have approached Pakistan’s Supreme Court, seeking suspension of their sentences in the £190 million case and requesting their immediate release.

The petition challenges an earlier decision that rejected their pleas for suspension of sentence while their main appeals remain pending. According to the application, the court failed to properly examine important legal and factual aspects of the case before dismissing the request.

The petition argues that courts are permitted to review the merits of a case when considering sentence suspension and that this principle was not applied in their matter.

The applicants further claim that repeated requests for adjournments by the prosecution delayed the appeal proceedings and prolonged their imprisonment, affecting the timely delivery of justice.

Health concerns have also been highlighted in the filing. The petition states that Imran Khan developed medical complications during his detention and required treatment outside prison facilities. It argues that continued incarceration despite health issues is unjustified.

The filing also refers to the psychological impact of solitary confinement, describing it as a source of severe mental distress. In addition, it questions the legality of the arrest process, noting that previous judicial observations had raised concerns regarding the circumstances of the detention.

On jurisdiction, the petition maintains that the appeal for suspension of sentence falls within the authority of the Supreme Court and should be heard without procedural obstacles.

The applicants have requested the apex court to set aside the earlier ruling, suspend their sentences, and order their release until final decisions on the main appeals are announced.

Earlier, an accountability court sentenced Imran Khan to 14 years in prison along with a fine of Rs1 million, while Bushra Bibi received a seven-year sentence and a fine of Rs500,000 in connection with the case.

The £190 million case, also known as the Al-Qadir Trust case, relates to allegations concerning the handling of funds returned to Pakistan from the United Kingdom during Imran Khan’s tenure as prime minister. The allegations remain the subject of ongoing legal proceedings, while the defence continues to deny wrongdoing.