Pakistan’s Supreme Court returned the couple’s appeals over procedural objections
June 30, 2026: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have suffered a fresh legal setback after Pakistan’s Supreme Court returned their appeals challenging an Islamabad High Court order in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust corruption case. The appeals questioned the High Court’s refusal to decide their applications seeking suspension of sentence on merit. The Supreme Court Registrar raised procedural objections, stating that the appropriate remedy lies before the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC). However, Khan’s legal team has challenged the objections, arguing that the appeals are maintainable before the Supreme Court under Article 185(3) of Pakistan’s Constitution.
Khan’s petition contends that while the National Accountability Ordinance provides a second appeal before the FCC in specific cases, it does not explicitly cover matters relating to bail or suspension of sentence. The petition also alleges that the Islamabad High Court erred by declining to examine the merits of the sentence suspension applications after noting that the main appeals were already listed for hearing. It further claims that Khan has developed an eye ailment during his imprisonment, suffered mental distress due to prolonged solitary confinement, and that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) repeatedly sought adjournments to delay proceedings in what the defence describes as a politically motivated case.
Meanwhile, Khan’s sister Aleema Khan has raised fresh concerns over his detention conditions, alleging that authorities intend to allow only one family meeting before placing him back in solitary confinement for another six months. Speaking outside the Islamabad High Court, she questioned the restrictions on regular family access and demanded that the former prime minister’s constitutional rights be restored. Aleema also urged authorities to provide Khan with proper medical treatment and unrestricted access to independent doctors as his legal battle over the corruption case continues.