ISLAMABAD: Barrister Salman Safdar, counsel for the founder of PTI, has also fallen victim to an eye illness.
Salman Safdar expressed his inability to pursue the appeals against conviction in the £190 million case due to undergoing medical examination abroad.
Salman Akram Raja requested the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to grant time for filing an appeal against rejection of suspension of sentence petitions, stating Salman Safdar was ill.
Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar remarked if Salman Safdar was unavailable, a new lawyer should begin arguments on the appeals. He added if arguments were not initiated at the next hearing, law would take its course.
Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif heard the main appeals against convictions of PTI founder and Bushra Bibi in the £190 million case. Barrister Salman Safdar did not appear before the court.
Salman Akram Raja informed the bench he was appearing on Salman Safdar’s behalf. He said Salman Safdar would remain unavailable for several weeks due to medical problems and had to travel to Tokyo for a check-up. The Chief Justice asked whether no one else could argue the appeals if Salman Safdar was unavailable, adding another lawyer could present arguments in his place. Salman Akram Raja replied they had not yet received the power of attorney.
Salman Akram Raja argued PTI founder and Bushra Bibi were in the custody of this court, but powers of attorney were not being provided to challenge the decision. The Chief Justice said this issue was not before the court; rather, the appeals themselves were before the bench.
Salman Akram Raja maintained the court had the authority to direct superintendent of Adiala Jail to facilitate the process. He argued if the court did not issue such directions, it would amount to a violation of fundamental rights of PTI founder and Bushra Bibi.
Later, the court adjourned the hearing after directing jail authorities to obtain signatures of PTI founder and Bushra Bibi on powers of attorney and provide them to the lawyers. The next hearing date will be announced later.
