RAWALPINDI: An accountability court Judge Nasir Javed Rana on Friday (17th Jan 2025), pronouncing the verdict (thrice delayed previously) in the £190m Al-Qadir University Project Trust Case, handed a sentence of 14 years (+Rs. ten lakh fine or incarceration of additional 6 months) to former PM Imran Khan and 7 years sentence (+ Rs. 5 lakh fine or incarceration for additional 3 months) to his wife Bushra Bibi.
Following the announcement, Bushra Bibi, who was granted bail in Oct, 2024, has been taken into custody in the makeshift courtroom at Adiala Jail. The duo was indicted last year on 27th Feb in the Al-Qadir University Project Trust Case involving £190m [seized by the United Kingdom’s NCA (from rags to riches property tycoon Malik Riaz) for the public kitty of Pakistan, went back into his pockets].
Within the meaning of Section 10(a) of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999, property of Al-Qadir University Project Trust has been forfeited to the Federal Government. It is pertinent to mention here that 35 witnessed were examined during the trial. Key witnesses included PM’s former principal secretary Azam Khan, former defense minister Pervez Khattak and former federal minister Zubaida Jalal.
PTI, rejecting the decision, announced that it would go to the High Court. Opposition leader Omar questioned the connection between the funds involved and the PTI leadership. Shibli Faraz said: “Those who looted the country walk free, while sincere leaders face jail.”
It may be recalled that warrant to arrest the former PM Imran Khan was issued on 1st day of May, 2023 with the signature of Chairman National Accountability Bureau in the Al-Qadir University Project Trust Case. Former premier and the founder of Tehreek-e-Insaaf Imran Khan was taken into custody u/s 9A, 34A, 18A and 24A of the NAB Ordinance 1999.
At that time, taking notice of the development, Chief Justice Islamabad High Court Amer Farooq had ordered the Home Secretary and the Inspector General of the Capital to appear before the Court within fifteen minutes. IHC finally ruled that the arrest was indeed legal.
Newspakistan.tv
