Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan has appealed to the Islamabad High Court for his release on humanitarian grounds. He told the court through his lawyer that he has been kept in solitary confinement for a long time and he also has an eye infection.
The petition was filed by Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi during a hearing on their appeals against their conviction in a £190 million corruption case. In January last year, an accountability court in Islamabad had sentenced 73-year-old Imran Khan to 14 years and Bushra Bibi to seven years in prison. The case was led by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
What arguments did Imran give in the court?
During the hearing, Imran Khan’s lawyer Salman Safdar requested the court to suspend the sentence. He argued that the case has been pending for more than 16 months and 17 hearings have already taken place in the appeal. ‘The Dawn’ newspaper has given this information.
Safdar apprised the court of Khan’s vision concerns and claimed that his vision had become very weak. According to ‘The Express Tribune’ newspaper, Safdar said, “Imran Khan’s eyesight has reduced to 15%, with 85% vision loss.” The defense lawyer claimed that the damage to Khan’s eye appeared to be permanent.
Questions raised on Imran’s conditions in jail
Safdar also raised questions about the conditions of his clients in jail. “One issue is the eye problem and the other is why he is being kept in solitary confinement,” he said. He also said that Khan had told him that he could not see properly in one eye and that doctors had indicated that the condition was irreversible.
The lawyer told the court that Khan had been taken to hospital several times and such treatment facilities were not available in Adiala jail. “It has now reached the point where we are demanding to summon the IG Jail, the superintendent and the deputy superintendent,” he said. He also requested the court to order the hospital to provide complete medical records.
High Court suggested to focus on the main appeal
Safdar also said that Bushra Bibi was also affected by the case and was arrested at the time of the verdict. Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar asked Safdar why he was not focusing on the main appeal. He said that this can be resolved quickly.
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Dogar said the appeals were being heard regularly and could be decided quickly if the arguments were set out. However, Safdar insisted on deciding the suspension applications first. The lawyer reiterated his request to summon the IG Jail and hospital officials with complete medical records. After this the hearing was adjourned.
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