ISLAMABAD: An accountability court in Islamabad on Friday convicted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the £190 million corruption case. Judge Nasir Javed Rana sentenced Imran Khan to 14 years in prison, while Bushra Bibi received a seven-year sentence. Heavy fines were also imposed on both.
The court ordered Imran Khan to pay a fine of Rs1 million, while Bushra Bibi was fined Rs0.5 million. If they fail to pay, the former prime minister will face an additional six months in jail, and Bushra Bibi will serve three more months. Following the verdict, Bushra Bibi was taken into custody. Sources revealed that her cell in Adiala Jail had already been prepared.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), led by Prosecutor General Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi, was present at Adiala Jail for the verdict announcement. Lawyers for the PTI founder, including Barristers Gohar Khan, Shoaib Shaheen, and Salman Akram Raja, were also present.
Security Tightened at Adiala Jail
The Rawalpindi police implemented a robust security plan to ensure law and order. SP Saddar Nabeel Khokhar oversaw surveillance at Adiala Jail. SDPO Saddar Daniyal Rana managed security operations, with SHO Saddar Aizaz Azim acting as the sub-in-charge.
Additional personnel from six police stations were deployed around the jail. Elite and Dolphin Forces were also stationed to handle security. Female police officers, supervised by Inspector Nasreen Batool, played an active role in operations. Plainclothes officers were also present to monitor activities.
Details of the £190 Million Case
The £190 million case, also known as the Al-Qadir Trust case, revolves around allegations of corruption during Imran Khan’s tenure as prime minister. In 2019, £190 million sent by Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to the Pakistani government was allegedly misused.
The funds, linked to a property tycoon’s seized assets, were meant to be transferred to Pakistan’s government. However, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) claims that the money was instead channeled into the Al-Qadir Trust, a controversial organization established after the settlement.
The trust included Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, Zulfi Bukhari, and Farah Gogi as members. NAB alleged that Bukhari received 458 kanals of land as a benefit, which was later transferred to the trust.
Arrest and Protests
Imran Khan was arrested on May 9, 2023, during the investigation into the case. This marked his first arrest as an ousted prime minister. The arrest led to violent protests by PTI supporters, including attacks on military installations.
Khan was later released on bail by the Islamabad High Court. The Supreme Court also declared his arrest from the high court premises illegal.
Trial and Witnesses
The trial spanned over a year, with testimony from key witnesses, including former cabinet members Pervez Khattak and Zubaida Jalal. Former principal secretary Azam Khan also testified. Witnesses confirmed that the cabinet approved the settlement without being informed of the details.
Six co-accused, including Zulfi Bukhari and Farah Gogi, were declared absconders. Their assets and bank accounts were frozen. Despite presenting a list of 16 witnesses, Imran Khan’s request to summon them was denied. The case saw four different judges preside over the hearings before Judge Nasir Javed Rana finalized the verdict.
