The Supreme Court on Wednesday heard multiple cases relating to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, disposing of several petitions and issuing notices in others.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Hashim Kakar took up the cases.

During proceedings, the Punjab government withdrew three petitions seeking cancellation of bail for Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. The court disposed of the cases following the withdrawal.

Hearing the Toshakhana appeal, senior lawyer Latif Khosa argued that a two-member bench of the Islamabad High Court had suspended the sentence, but the appeal remained pending.

Justice Kakar observed that once a sentence is suspended, there should be no legal obstacle, including in electoral matters. The court subsequently issued a notice to the Election Commission of Pakistan seeking its response.

In the cipher case appeal, the prosecutor general sought more time, stating that the detailed verdict had not yet been submitted.

Defence counsel Salman Safdar complained about not receiving notices. The chief justice remarked that it had not yet been decided whether the appeal was maintainable.

In a separate defamation case, Imran Khan’s counsel Mian Muhammad Hussain argued that issues had not been framed at trial.

Justice Kakar questioned why cross-examination had proceeded in that situation. The court issued notices to both parties and adjourned the hearing.

The chief justice also rejected a request for Latif Khosa to meet Imran Khan in custody, observing that political statements should be made in parliament rather than in court.