Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan Along with Dr.Mohsion speaks to media outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. Photo AFP
Islamabad: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have been convicted in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case by an accountability court. Judge Nasir Javed Rana sentenced Khan to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs1 million, while Bushra Bibi was handed a seven-year sentence with a Rs0.5 million fine. Both were convicted on charges of corruption and abetment under the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999.
The verdict, announced in a makeshift courtroom at Adiala Jail, also ruled that failure to pay the fines would result in an additional six months’ imprisonment for Khan and three months for Bushra Bibi.
Key Findings of the Judgment
The court’s 148-page written order detailed the evidence presented against the couple, stating that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The judgment highlighted that Khan was directly involved in acts of corruption, while Bushra Bibi aided and abetted these activities in her role as a trustee of the Al-Qadir University Project Trust.
“The testimony of the prosecution witnesses could not be discredited by the defense. The documentary evidence was cogent, credible, and reliable,” the judgment stated, adding that minor discrepancies in the evidence were not significant enough to undermine the prosecution’s case.
Forfeiture of Trust Property
In a significant ruling, the court ordered the forfeiture of the Al-Qadir University Project Trust property to the federal government under Section 10(a) of the NAB Ordinance. The judgment criticized the misuse of the trust for personal gain, stating that the property and funds were improperly utilized.
Witnesses and Proceedings
The prosecution presented 35 witnesses to establish its case. Despite extensive cross-examination, the defense failed to create reasonable doubt regarding the credibility of the evidence. Co-accused, including former aides Shahzad Akbar and Zulfi Bokhari, were declared absconders.
Background of the Case
The case stems from a reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in December 2023, alleging corruption and financial mismanagement in the trust established by the former prime minister and his wife. The NAB accused the couple of accepting property and monetary benefits unlawfully.
Reactions and Implications
The verdict has significant political implications as Khan, founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), continues to face legal challenges. The convictions also place scrutiny on the management of charitable trusts in Pakistan, raising broader questions about transparency and accountability.
Lawyers for the defense, including Barrister Salman Akram Raja and Barrister Gohar Khan, indicated plans to appeal the verdict, arguing that the judgment was politically motivated.
The case represents one of the highest-profile convictions in Pakistan’s recent history and underscores the judiciary’s role in addressing corruption at the highest levels of government.
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