A special court in Islamabad awarded 17-year prison sentences to both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi on December 20.

In their petitions, the appellants have requested the court to set aside the verdict, arguing that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations in the Toshakhana-II case.

The appeals stated that the trial court relied heavily on the testimony of an approver, which, according to the defence, is not legally sufficient to sustain a conviction.

The petitions further argued that multiple sentences cannot be awarded for the same offence, and that the punishments imposed in this case were in violation of established legal principles.

It has also been contended that the Special Central Court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case, rendering the proceedings unlawful.

The appeals allege that Sohaib Abbasi was unlawfully made an approver, which compromised the transparency and legal validity of the trial.

The Islamabad High Court registry has assigned diary numbers to both appeals, paving the way for further proceedings.

Imran Khan’s appeal has been assigned diary number 24560, while Bushra Bibi’s appeal has been given diary number 24561.