ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday directed jail authorities to obtain and provide signed powers of attorney for former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in connection with their appeals against conviction in the £190 million case.

A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif heard the appeals, with Barrister Salman Safdar representing the appellants, while NAB Special Prosecutor Javed Arshad and Rafi Maqsood appeared for the prosecution.

During the proceedings, Safdar informed the court that around 300 cases had been registered against Imran and legal representatives had been appointed in each of them. He said his concerns arose from an order issued on April 30 and noted that the National Accountability Bureau had argued that the main appeals should be heard instead of applications seeking suspension of sentence.

The counsel said the principal appeals were fixed for hearing on May 7 for the first time but he did not appear because he intended to challenge the earlier order before the Supreme Court. He added that an application had been filed, although objections were raised by the court office.

Responding to questions from the bench, Safdar said the required powers of attorney had not been provided because the jail superintendent had yet to obtain the signatures of his clients. The chief justice observed that no powers of attorney had been placed on record and remarked that another lawyer could also have sought the documents.

Safdar maintained that he had not been allowed to meet his client since November last year and said although he had later been permitted to meet Imran Khan, he had not been allowed to meet Bushra Bibi. He argued that signed powers of attorney were necessary if the case was to be pursued before a higher court.

Chief Justice Dogar observed that if the appellants intended to approach another forum, they were entitled to receive the signed documents. Questioning the absence of a representative from the Advocate General’s Office, the bench sought an explanation for the delay in obtaining and providing the signed papers.

Safdar also informed the court that Bushra Bibi was suffering from an eye problem and that he needed to consult her. The NAB prosecutor said the issue of powers of attorney did not fall within the bureau’s jurisdiction, but the chief justice nevertheless instructed the prosecution to ensure the documents were signed.

The court directed the Advocate General’s Office to ensure compliance with its order within seven days and instructed that the signed powers of attorney be handed over to the defence counsel.

The IHC also fixed the hearing of the appeals against the convictions in the £190 million case for the last week of June.

The £190 million case relates to allegations that, during Imran Khan’s tenure as prime minister in 2019, Rs50 billion transferred by Britain’s National Crime Agency to the Government of Pakistan was unlawfully adjusted in connection with a settlement involving a property tycoon.

The National Accountability Bureau filed the reference in December 2023 and formally charged Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in February 2024, alleging that the settlement with the British agency was approved without disclosing the confidential agreement to the federal cabinet.