**£190m Reference Verdict at Adiala Jail Set for Tomorrow**
The much-anticipated verdict in the £190 million reference case against PTI founder Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi is finally set to be announced tomorrow at Adiala Jail. The staff of the Accountability Court has officially informed the legal team of the PTI founder about this crucial decision, as reported by Express News.
**Legal Notification and Delayed Verdict**
Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry, the lawyer representing Imran Khan, confirmed that the Islamabad Accountability Court staff has formally notified them that the verdict for the £190 million reference will be declared at Adiala Jail on Monday. It is essential to note that the Accountability Court had previously postponed the verdict twice before. The most recent hearing took place on December 18, 2024, at Adiala Jail. The upcoming decision will be announced in the presence of both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.
**Timeline of Events**
Initially scheduled for December 23, 2024, the verdict was delayed and rescheduled for January 6. The latest date for the decision is now confirmed for January 13. The trial of the £190 million reference has spanned a year, making it the only case involving Imran Khan to have such a lengthy duration.
**Background of the Case**
The £190 million case alleges that Imran Khan and others were involved in adjusting Rs50 billion, which was equivalent to £190 million at the time. This large sum was transferred by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to the Pakistani government. As Prime Minister, Khan obtained cabinet approval for this settlement on December 3, 2019, without revealing the confidential details of the agreement. The agreement stipulated that the funds would be submitted to the Supreme Court.
Throughout the trial, statements from a total of 35 witnesses were recorded in the reference case. Notably, former principal secretary Azam Khan, former chief minister Pervez Khattak, and former federal minister Zubaida Jalal also provided statements in this high-profile case. The proceedings saw four different judges presiding over the hearings, adding to the complexity and duration of the trial.
