ISLAMABAD, Jun 18 (APP):The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday directed the authorities to obtain and provide signed vakalatnamas (powers of attorney) from PTI founder and his spouse Bushra Bibi for filing an appeal before the Supreme Court against a previous court order. A two-member division bench comprising Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif heard appeals. During the hearing, Barrister Salman Safdar informed the court that …
IHC orders signing of power of attorney from PTI founder, Bushra Bibi within seven days
ISLAMABAD, Jun 18 (APP):The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday directed the authorities to obtain and provide signed vakalatnamas (powers of attorney) from PTI founder and his spouse Bushra Bibi for filing an appeal before the Supreme Court against a previous court order.
A two-member division bench comprising Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif heard appeals.
During the hearing, Barrister Salman Safdar informed the court that his clients intended to challenge the IHC’s April 30 order, under which the main appeals against conviction were to be heard instead of the applications seeking suspension of sentences.
He submitted that despite court directions, jail authorities had not facilitated signatures on the vakalatnamas. He further stated that while a meeting with the PTI founder had been arranged pursuant to court orders, Bushra Bibi had not been allowed a meeting for the past six months and was facing health issues related to her eyesight.
Addressing the NAB prosecutor, Chief Justice Dogar observed that if the petitioners intended to approach a higher forum, they required signed vakalatnamas and questioned why the documents had not yet been provided.
The NAB prosecutor responded that the matter did not fall within NAB’s domain.
Barrister Salman Safdar argued that the delay in obtaining signatures could adversely affect the limitation period for filing an appeal before the Supreme Court.
The court subsequently directed the Advocate General’s Office to ensure implementation of the order within seven days and facilitate the signing and provision of the vakalatnamas.
The hearing was adjourned until the last week of June.
