After multiple delays, an accountability court in Islamabad on Friday convicted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the high-profile £190 million case. The verdict, delivered by Accountability Court Judge Nasir Javed Rana, sentenced Imran Khan to 14 years and Bushra Bibi to seven years in prison, along with substantial fines.
The court proceedings took place inside a makeshift courtroom at Adiala Jail, where the PTI founder was ordered to pay a fine of Rs1 million, and Bushra Bibi was fined Rs0.5 million. Failure to pay these fines will result in an additional six months for Imran Khan and three months for Bushra Bibi in prison.
Led by Prosecutor General Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi, a team from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), along with prominent lawyers, attended the hearing. Following the announcement of the verdict, Bushra Bibi was taken into custody, and both were handed over to the prison authorities with a committal warrant.
The judgment outlined that Imran Khan was convicted of “corrupt practices” and “misuse of authority,” while Bushra Bibi was found guilty of “involvement in illegal activities.” The court ordered the Al-Qadir Trust University to be placed under federal government custody.
Imran Khan was convicted under various sections of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999, for corruption and corrupt practices, while Bushra Bibi was convicted for aiding and abetting these practices. The 148-page verdict stated that Bushra Bibi’s involvement was limited, which was considered in her sentencing.
The court concluded that the prosecution had successfully proved its case beyond any doubt, dismissing the applications filed by the accused under Section 265-K of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
Enhanced Security Measures
In response to the high-profile verdict, Rawalpindi police implemented a comprehensive security plan. The security operations around Adiala Jail were led by SP Saddar Nabeel Khokhar, with various police officials, including SDPO Saddar Daniyal Rana and SHO Saddar Aizaz Azim, overseeing the arrangements. Additional personnel from six police stations, as well as Elite and Dolphin Forces, were deployed for security.
Details of the Al-Qadir Trust Case
The £190 million case, commonly referred to as the Al-Qadir Trust case, involves allegations of financial misconduct during Imran Khan’s tenure as prime minister. The case centers around a settlement reached with Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) in 2019, which involved the transfer of Rs50 billion (equivalent to £190 million) to the Pakistani government.
The NAB filed a reference in December 2023, charging Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in February 2024 for misusing authority and engaging in corrupt practices. The trial featured testimonies from key witnesses, including former cabinet members and officials, and concluded with the court finding the prosecution’s evidence credible.
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