ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, along with his wife Bushra Bibi, has filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), urging an expedited hearing of their appeals in the £190 million corruption case reported by “The Nation”. The couple, through their counsel Advocate Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry, highlighted the prolonged delays in court proceedings following their conviction on January 17, 2024.
The plea contends that no progress has been made in the months since the verdict was handed down, raising serious concerns about the denial of timely justice. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” the petition reads, further stressing that the politically motivated nature of the case has exacerbated the sense of injustice.
Imran Khan, who has remained in detention for over a year, has consistently maintained that the charges against him are fabricated and part of a broader crackdown on opposition voices. PTI leaders and supporters allege that the judiciary is being used as a tool to sideline Khan from the political landscape ahead of future elections.
The case is one among several controversial convictions handed down to Khan and his close aides, sparking nationwide and international criticism. Legal experts and rights groups have voiced concern over the increasing perception of a compromised judiciary in Pakistan. The lack of transparency and consistency in handling politically sensitive cases has only added fuel to these claims.
Adding to the controversy, leaked audio recordings and testimonies from within the judicial system have pointed to possible interference from powerful quarters, raising alarm about the independence of the courts.
Khan’s legal team emphasized that the judiciary must act independently and swiftly to restore public faith in the system. “Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done,” the petition concluded, appealing to the IHC to hear the appeals without further delay.
