Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi Convicted in £190 Million Case
In a shocking turn of events, former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have been sentenced to prison in the £190 million case. Imran Khan received a harsh sentence of 14 years behind bars, while Bushra Bibi was given a seven-year jail term by Accountability Court Judge Nasir Javed Rana.
Verdict Announcement and Consequences
The verdict was announced in a courtroom inside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where Imran had been detained for over a year. Apart from the prison sentences, the court imposed fines of Rs1 million on Imran and Rs500,000 on Bushra. Failure to pay these fines would result in additional prison time for both individuals.
The court also ruled that the property of the “sham trust,” Al-Qadir University Project Trust, is to be forfeited to the Federal Government according to Section 10(a) of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999. Following the verdict, Bushra Bibi was immediately arrested in the courtroom.
Political Response and Challenges Ahead
In response to the conviction, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership plans to challenge the decision, denouncing it as politically motivated. Opposition leader Omar Ayub criticized the ruling, calling it a “dark day” in Pakistan’s judicial history. He questioned the connection between the funds and the PTI leadership, emphasizing that the Supreme Court, not Imran Khan or Bushra Bibi, received the money.
Shibli Faraz defended Imran and Bushra, stating that they did not benefit from the alleged transactions. He argued that they were being punished for establishing Al-Qadir University to promote the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Faraz criticized the system, highlighting the disparity between corrupt individuals escaping punishment and sincere leaders facing jail time.
The £190 Million Case: Details and Allegations
The case alleges that Imran Khan and others adjusted Rs50 billion, equivalent to £190 million at the time, transferred by the UK’s National Crime Agency to the Pakistani government. As Prime Minister, Khan obtained cabinet approval for this settlement without disclosing the agreement’s confidential details.
According to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Khan and his wife received land worth billions of rupees for an educational institute’s construction. The case, which began in 2023, involved eight accused persons, with Imran and Bushra indicted on February 27, 2024.
Key witnesses included PM’s former principal secretary Azam Khan, former defense minister Pervez Khattak, and former federal minister Zubaida Jalal. Despite ample opportunities, the defense failed to present any witnesses throughout the trial, leading to the court’s decision.
This case sheds light on the complexities and challenges within Pakistan’s judicial system, emphasizing the need for transparency, accountability, and fairness in all legal proceedings.
