Delays by Imran’s counsel in £190m graft case irk IHC

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfaraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif also ordered that powers of attorney for the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi be signed, while adjourning the hearing indefinitely. During the hearing, Barrister Salman Akram Raja appeared before the court on behalf of Advocate Salman Safdar. He informed the bench that Safdar was undergoing medical treatment and would travel to Tokyo for further check-ups, rendering him unavailable for several weeks. Chief Justice Dogar reminded counsel that at the previous hearing, the court had directed the defence to commence arguments on the appeals. “If Salman Safdar is unavailable, can no one else argue the case?” the chief justice inquired, adding that another lawyer could represent the appellants if necessary. The bench also referred to its earlier order allowing meetings with the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi. Barrister Raja informed the court that signed powers of attorney had yet to be received from the incarcerated appellants. “You met them, so the powers of attorney should also have been signed,” the chief justice remarked. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor told the court that thumb impressions and powers of attorney had already been submitted when the appeals were filed. ‘Superior forum’ Barrister Raja argued that the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi intended to challenge the rejection of their suspension of