ISLAMABAD (MNN); The Supreme Court of Pakistan has scheduled several high-profile cases linked to PTI founder Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi for hearing on February 18.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar, with Justice Salahuddin Panhwar and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim as members, will take up six cases concerning Imran Khan, along with one case each against Bushra Bibi and Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
One of the key matters listed is an appeal challenging the Islamabad High Court ruling that suspended Imran Khan’s sentence — but not his conviction — in the Toshakhana criminal case.
The bench will also hear appeals filed by the Punjab government contesting the grant of bail to Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.
Additionally, appeals against the acquittal of Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case have been fixed for hearing. A government petition challenging Imran Khan’s bail in the May 9 Lahore cases will also be considered.
Separately, the apex court has scheduled hearings of Imran Khan’s appeals against Shehbaz Sharif in a defamation case. These appeals pertain to the recording of evidence and a request to make the Punjab government a party to the proceedings.
Imran Khan had earlier challenged decisions of the Lahore High Court in the matter. The dispute arose from his allegation that Shehbaz Sharif offered him Rs10 billion to withdraw from pursuing the Panama Papers case, after which Shehbaz Sharif filed a defamation suit against the PTI founder.
The same three-member bench led by Justice Hashim Kakar will hear the defamation-related appeals on February 18.
