The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday heard appeals and sentence suspension pleas filed by the former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, directing the defence to prepare arguments on the main appeals within 10 days.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif conducted the hearing. Prosecutors Javed Ashraf and Rafi Maqsood appeared for the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Defence counsel Barrister Salman Safdar urged the court to decide the sentence suspension applications first. However, the chief justice observed that once an appeal is fixed for hearing, suspension pleas become ineffective under settled legal principles.

“Prepare the appeals within 10 days; we will fix them and proceed on a day-to-day basis for an early decision,” the chief justice remarked, questioning why arguments on the main appeals had not been advanced.

During arguments, Barrister Safdar told the court that in a December 20, 2025 meeting, Khan had reported severe deterioration in his eyesight, claiming only 15 per cent vision remained. The bench pressed the defence to focus on the appeals rather than interim relief.

The court also questioned the filing of appeals without a formal power of attorney from jail.

Barrister Safdar responded that in the Toshakhana case, another counsel, Ali Zafar, has been representing Khan since 2024.

The NAB prosecutor requested the court to determine which appeal should be heard first. The hearing was adjourned until May 11.