Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi have moved the Supreme Court of Pakistan against an Islamabad High Court order refusing to suspend their sentences in the £190 million case.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder and his wife asked the Supreme Court to set aside the IHC order, suspend their sentences and order their immediate release.
The petition argues that the IHC admitted the appeal as maintainable but ignored key points while rejecting the suspension of sentence.
It says the high court should have conducted a preliminary review of evidence before deciding the suspension plea.
The petition also argues that the National Accountability Bureau repeatedly sought adjournments, which delayed the appeal proceedings. It cites health concerns for both Imran and Bushra Bibi during imprisonment. The petition says Imran developed an eye condition in detention and received treatment outside jail.
Read: Imran Khan £190m Case Appeals Move Forward at IHC
The petition also refers to solitary confinement and claims Imran suffered mental anguish in custody. An accountability court in Islamabad had sentenced Imran to 14 years in prison with a Rs1 million fine in the case.
Bushra Bibi received a seven-year sentence and a Rs500,000 fine. The case relates to allegations over the adjustment of Rs50 billion, then equal to £190 million, sent by Britain’s National Crime Agency to the Government of Pakistan during Imran’s tenure as prime minister.
The National Accountability Bureau filed the reference in December 2023 and charged Imran and Bushra Bibi on February 27, 2024.
