TLDR
• Verdict in Al-Qadir Trust case imminent
• Imran Khan’s lawyer calls it political revenge
• NAB accuses Imran Khan of unlawful approvals
ISLAMABAD (The Thursday Times) — The decision in the 190 million pounds Al-Qadir Trust corruption case against Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi has been reserved by the accountability court in Rawalpindi. The final verdict is set to be announced on Monday.
Eight-hour hearing concludes with reserved verdict
The accountability court, presided over by Judge Nasir Javed Rana, held the final hearing at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. The session stretched over eight hours, during which Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi appeared before the court. The defence team presented their closing arguments, maintaining their stance that the case was politically motivated.
Defence calls allegations politically motivated
Imran Khan’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, strongly argued that the case was a blatant example of political retaliation. He claimed that the reference targeted the couple unfairly and highlighted that similar accusations against other individuals, like Hasan Nawaz, were ignored. Safdar emphasised that Khan, a well-known philanthropist before becoming Prime Minister, had no personal financial gains in the matter.
NAB insists on illegal approval charges
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor, Amjad Pervez, maintained that Imran Khan approved the unlawful settlement during his tenure as Prime Minister. He argued that procedural rules were violated when the cabinet approved the transfer of funds. Although NAB acknowledged no direct financial benefit to the accused, they insisted that Khan facilitated an illegal agreement detrimental to state interests.
Allegations of favouritism questioned
The prosecution also questioned the role of Farhat Bibi (also known as Farah Gogi), an associate of the couple. They alleged that Malik Riaz, a prominent real estate tycoon, provided her with valuable land, raising questions about her relationship with the accused. The defence, however, denied any personal gains or misuse of power in the case, dismissing it as baseless.
Focus on Monday’s verdict
With both sides presenting their arguments, the court reserved its decision. This high-stakes case continues to dominate the political landscape, raising questions about accountability and the role of justice in Pakistan’s highly polarised environment.