Screen Grab
A high-stakes legal battle unfolded at the Islamabad High Court as a two-member bench, including Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif, resumed hearings for the Al-Qadir Trust case. The proceedings have brought to light alarming claims regarding the physical and mental well-being of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his spouse, Bushra Bibi.
The Core Legal Conflict: Appeals vs. Suspension
In a detailed breakdown shared on the MJ TV vlog with journalist Matiullah Jan, Barrister Salman Safdar explained the procedural tensions currently gripping the court. For nearly 15 months, the appeals against the sentences of the PTI founder and his wife had remained unscheduled, but they have now surfaced with sudden urgency.
According to Salman Safdar, the court appears inclined to hear the main appeals on a day-to-day basis to reach a swift conclusion within 10 days. This shift in momentum is reportedly linked to potential amendments in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) laws, which might redirect such cases to a proposed Federal Constitutional Court.
Alarming Medical Disclosures and Vision Loss
The most distressing highlight of the day was the disclosure concerning the health of Imran Khan. Barrister Salman Safdar revealed that during a 65-minute meeting in jail, the former premier shared that he has lost 85 percent of the vision in one eye.
The legal counsel stated that PIMS doctors have categorized this ocular vision loss as permanent and beyond repair. Despite receiving various injections and treatments within the hospital facilities, there has been no improvement in the condition of his eye, a reality Imran Khan has reportedly accepted with heavy heart.
Allegations of Solitary Confinement and Mental Torture
Beyond physical health, the defense raised serious concerns about the treatment of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi within Adiala Jail. The legal team described the conditions as mental torture, specifically citing the use of solitary confinement which is not part of the official sentencing documents.
Salman Safdar argued that under Section 73 of the PPC, such measures are unauthorized and inhumane. He questioned why the jail authorities were subjecting a woman to such conditions, especially when Bushra Bibi is not even central to the primary decision-making mentioned in some documents.
The Defense Refuses the ‘NAB Offer’
During the hearing, NAB reportedly proposed a quick resolution of the main appeals, an idea that the Chief Justice seemed to favor. However, Barrister Salman Safdar vehemently opposed this, insisting that the applications for the suspension of sentences (bail) must be decided first.
He informed Matiullah Jan that it is professionally impossible to argue a main appeal while his clients are being subjected to what he termed as illegal solitary confinement. The defense has called for the appearance of the IG Prisons and the Jail Superintendent to provide an explanation for these conditions before the case moves forward.
International Pressure and Global Standards
The legal counsel also pointed out that the Al-Qadir Trust case and the treatment of the PTI leadership are now echoing in international forums, including the British Parliament. He noted that Pakistan is a signatory to various United Nations charters and the Nelson Mandela Rules, which prohibit inhumane treatment of prisoners.
Salman Safdar emphasized that the world is watching how the Islamabad High Court handles these fundamental human rights violations. He suggested that the court should appoint an Amicus Curiae—a neutral legal expert—to evaluate the appropriate legal path forward under such extreme medical and procedural circumstances.
The Road to Monday: High Expectations for Relief
While the court did not grant immediate relief, Salman Safdar expressed cautious optimism regarding the next hearing scheduled for Monday. He noted that the Chief Justice has promised to address these grievances after listening to the detailed arguments presented by the defense.
The legal team remains firm that no further steps on the main appeal will be taken until the medical records are summoned and the confinement conditions are addressed. For Imran Khan‘s supporters, the upcoming week remains a critical turning point in both the legal and personal survival of the PTI chairman.
Concluding the Hearing
As the hearing concluded, the bench appeared to be weighing the urgency of the NAB law changes against the human rights claims presented by the defense. Salman Safdar concluded his remarks by stating that while defending such a high-profile case is never easy, he is prepared to fight for the relief that his clients legally deserve.