Delay in the decision of the 190 million pounds reference not the result of any deal: Barrister Gohar
Decision in 190 million pounds case involving PTI founder Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi delayed for third time till Jan 17
RAWALPINDI ( WEB NEWS )
Verdict in the 190 million pounds Al-Qadir Trust corruption case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi has been delayed for the third time.
Accountability court judge Nasir Javed Rana on Monday announced that the decision would be pronounced on Jan 17 and left the court. The court expressed resentment over delayed arrival of counsel for Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.
Earlier, it was reported that the judge had been sitting in the temporary courtroom inside Adiala Jail since 9am. The accused were not presented before the judge till around 10:30am and he announced adjournment till Jan 17.
The judge expressed his indignation at the absence of the accused and their counsel. The court was due to announce the verdict in Adiala Jail at 11am.
The judge said the PTI founder did not appear in court despite repeated reminders and Bushra Bibi also did not show up despite having knowledge of the verdict time.
He said the signed judgement was ready. He told the prosecutor that he could not announce the verdict on Jan 6 as he was on training. He said the accused were given ample opportunities during hearing and he could not wait any longer.
It merits mention that the court had reserved the verdict on Dec 18, 2024. At first, it was announced that the decision would be pronounced on Dec 23. Later, it was delayed to Jan 6 and then Jan 13.
The trial was completed in a year and the NAB recorded the statements of 35 witnesses. The PTI founder’s counsel cross-examined the witnesses.
Noted witnesses in the case are former principal secretary Azam Khan, former KP chief minister Pervez Khattak, and former federal minister Zubaida Jalal. The accused were indicted on Feb 27 last year.
The 190 million pound case involves a reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against former prime minister Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and others in December 2023.
The case centers around an alleged settlement between the PTI government and a real estate tycoon, which reportedly caused a loss of £190 million to the national exchequer.
Khan and the other accused are alleged to have misused £190 million sent by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) as part of the settlement. Bushra Bibi was named as an accused for her role as a trustee of the Al-Qadir Trust.
Additionally, the couple is accused of receiving undue benefits, including over 458 kanal in Mouza Bakrala, Sohawa, for the establishment of Al-Qadir University.
During Khan’s tenure, the NCA seized £190 million worth of assets from the tycoon. The assets were meant to be handed to Pakistan, with the settlement deemed a civil matter by the NCA.
However, the details of the confidential agreement were not disclosed when Khan’s cabinet approved it in December 2019. According to the arrangement, the money would be presented to the Supreme Court on behalf of real estate tycoon.
Subsequently, the Al-Qadir Trust was established in Islamabad. Members of the trust were PTI leaders Zulfi Bukhari, Babar Awan, Bushra Bibi, and her close friend Farah Khan.
The real estate tycoon allegedly gave up the land for the construction of an educational institution in exchange for legal protection for him.
Delay decision of the 190 million pounds reference was not the result of any deal. Barrister Gohar
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar on Monday stated that the delay in the decision of the 190 million pounds reference was not the result of any deal.
Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail alongside PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, Gohar said incarcerated PTI founder and former premier Imran Khan was not the owner of Qadir University, adding the latter was just a trustee of the university.
He further stated that Al-Qadir case was politically motivated, and injustice had been done to them. He added that the name of Bushra Bibi was included in the case to exert pressure on the founder of PTI.
He emphasised that the PTI founder was not concerned about the cases, and they had come to court today to hear the decision.
“The responsibility of bringing the founder of PTI from jail to court was of the jail administration,” he said.
The PTI chairman also said they had been given a time of 11am for the decision, and they arrived accordingly. They pin hopes on the higher judiciary and will approach the higher courts for justice. He believes that just like other cases were concluded, this case also would be resolved.
During the discussion, Salman Akram Raja mentioned that the negotiation process was going on, and it was being heard that the third round of talks would be held on Jan 15.
He clarified that they were not making any deals and were negotiating for democracy and justice in the country.
He further stated that the negotiations and this case were not related to each other, adding that there was an impression being created that a deal was being brokered. “The fact is that we are not making any deal,” he said.