SC to hear key cases involving PTI founder on Feb 18

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has fixed multiple petitions and appeals relating to the PTI founder for hearing on February 18, according to the court’s cause list.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Hashim Khan Kakar, with Justice Salahuddin Panhwar and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim as members, will take up the matters.

Among the cases scheduled are the state’s petitions seeking cancellation of bail granted to the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi. These cases involve charges under several sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including cheating, forgery, criminal breach of trust and abetment, along with provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947. The Additional Prosecutor General of Punjab will represent the provincial government.

The bench will also hear a criminal petition filed by the PTI founder seeking suspension of sentence in a case linked to proceedings against the District Election Commissioner Islamabad.

The petitioner has argued that although the Islamabad High Court suspended the sentence, it did not suspend the operative part of the judgment and later dismissed a correction request, prompting an appeal to the apex court.

In addition, appeals filed by the Federation against acquittal judgments in cases under the Official Secrets Act are listed for hearing on the same day. The Additional Attorney General will appear on behalf of the federal government.

Two civil petitions filed by the PTI founder in a defamation suit are also scheduled before the bench. In these matters, he has challenged interim orders of the trial court, including the refusal to record evidence through a local commission.

All petitions will be heard together as part of a series of legal proceedings involving the PTI founder currently pending before the Supreme Court.