Overview
- A division bench led by Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar imposed the penalty after noting the special prosecutor’s absence and what it termed delaying tactics.
- The court issued notices to Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi on NAB’s miscellaneous application and adjourned the matter with instructions for the bureau to come prepared at the next hearing.
- NAB contends the requests to suspend sentences are not maintainable until the main appeals are formally admitted and fixed for regular hearing under Section 426 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
- Defence lawyers said they struggled for months to obtain a signed power of attorney from Khan due to restricted access at Adiala Jail, with Aitzaz Ahsan alleging solitary confinement and an eye problem for his client.
- Counsel argued the suspension pleas have languished for about 14 months and pressed for an expedited decision before the Eid holidays.