Verdict Delayed Again in £190m Corruption Case
An accountability court in Rawalpindi has once again deferred the verdict in the high-profile £190 million corruption case involving Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi. This marks the third delay in the announcement of the verdict, causing further anticipation and speculation among the public.
Originally scheduled for Monday, January 6, the court had reserved the verdict on December 18 after the conclusion of arguments, setting December 23 as the judgment day. However, sources revealed that the lawyers involved in the case will only be informed of the new date tomorrow, prolonging the uncertainty surrounding the case.
Developments Amid Ongoing Negotiations
This delay comes amidst ongoing negotiations between PTI and the federal government, as both parties gear up for a third round of talks in the upcoming week. The government has requested PTI to submit its “charter of demands” in writing, which includes the release of “political prisoners,” specifically party chief Imran Khan, and a judicial investigation into the events of May 9, 2023, and the November 26 crackdown.
PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram remains optimistic, stating that the negotiation process will carry on unaffected, even if the party’s founder faces sentencing in the corruption case. This indicates the significance of the case in the broader political landscape of Pakistan.
The Al-Qadir Trust Case: Allegations and Investigations
The £190 million case, also known as the Al-Qadir Trust case, revolves around accusations that Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, and others orchestrated a substantial loss to the national exchequer through a settlement between the PTI government and a prominent property tycoon. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has diligently investigated the matter, gathering testimonies from 35 witnesses, including key figures such as former principal secretary Azam Khan, ex-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Pervez Khattak, and former federal minister Zubaida Jalal.
This legal battle is one of several challenges faced by the incarcerated PTI leader, who has been in custody since August 2023 following his conviction in the Toshakhana case-I.
Understanding the £190 Million Case
The crux of the case is the allegation that Imran Khan and his associates adjusted Rs 50 billion, equivalent to £190 million at the time, transferred by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to the Pakistani government. As Prime Minister, Khan secured cabinet approval for this settlement on December 3, 2019, without disclosing crucial details of the agreement, which mandated the funds to be channeled to the Supreme Court. NAB officials assert that Khan and his wife received land worth billions of rupees earmarked for an educational institute, underscoring the gravity of the accusations.
In conclusion, the continued postponement of the verdict and the intricate details of the case highlight the complex legal and political landscape surrounding Imran Khan and the PTI, shaping the course of Pakistani politics in the days to come.
