The Al-Qadir Trust case, also known as the £190 million reference, has resulted in significant legal repercussions for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi.
On Friday, a makeshift courtroom at Adiala Jail handed down sentences of 14 years for Imran Khan and seven years for Bushra Bibi. The judgment was delivered by Judge Nasir Javed Rana.
Key Details of the Verdict:
- Fines Imposed: Imran Khan was fined Rs. 1 million, while Bushra Bibi received a Rs. 500,000 fine. Failure to pay would result in an additional six months and three months of imprisonment, respectively.
- Arrest in Court: Following the judgment, Bushra Bibi was arrested in the courtroom.
- The verdict was initially reserved on December 18, 2023.
- Subsequent announcements were delayed on December 23, January 6, and January 13 due to procedural reasons, including the judge being on leave.
- PTI's Response: The party plans to challenge the verdict. PTI leader Omar Ayub and Barrister Gohar Ali Khan emphasized Imran Khan’s innocence, arguing he neither benefited from nor misused his authority in connection to the case.
- The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) initiated the inquiry in March 2023 and later escalated it to a full investigation.
- 35 witnesses testified during the year-long trial, including prominent political and legal figures such as Azam Khan, Pervez Khattak, and Zubaida Jalal.
Case Background:
The case revolves around allegations that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi obtained substantial financial benefits and land from Malik Riaz of Bahria Town.
This was reportedly linked to a Rs. 50 billion settlement with the UK's National Crime Agency, which was adjusted against a fine imposed on Malik Riaz by Pakistan’s Supreme Court.
Imran Khan has been jailed since August 2023 and faces numerous legal challenges ranging from allegations of corruption to inciting violence against the state.
The PTI plans to escalate the matter to higher courts, asserting that the judgment lacks substantive merit and is politically motivated.
