Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan is confronted with the possibility of a jail trial in the £190 million settlement case as the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) takes action. Khan, currently held in Adiala jail in connection with the cipher case, was arrested by NAB in the Al-Qadir Trust and Toshakhana cases following the issuance of arrest warrants by an accountability court in Islamabad.
A team from NAB, led by Assistant Director Muhammad Asif and Waqarul Hasan, executed the arrest warrants at Adiala jail, where Khan is currently detained. The alleged £190 million settlement case is anticipated to be tried at Adiala jail, as suggested by NAB sources. This development adds a new layer to the legal challenges faced by the former prime minister.
Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Bashir, responding to inquiries from journalists, acknowledged the potential for a jail trial in the settlement case. He mentioned that a notification is under consideration, and if approved, NAB would determine the trial location. The judge emphasized the importance of an open court, assuring journalists that measures would be taken to enable public access to the proceedings.
While Khan remains in custody, NAB is exploring various options for seeking his physical remand. Sources suggest that obtaining a notification from the law ministry is crucial for securing the former prime minister’s physical remand in Adiala jail. NAB insiders indicate that the notification for the jail trial will be issued soon, emphasizing the legal requirement to present the accused in court within 24 hours of arrest.
Imran Khan, along with his wife Bushra Bibi and other PTI leaders, faces charges related to a settlement between the PTI government and a property tycoon, resulting in an alleged loss of £190 million to the national exchequer. The case involves the adjustment of £190 million sent by Britain’s National Crime Agency to the Pakistani government. The accused are also alleged to have gained undue benefits in the form of land for Al Qadir University.
The case further delves into the establishment of the Al-Qadir Trust and its evolution, involving key PTI figures. Zulfi Bukhari, Babar Awan, Bushra Bibi, and her close friend Farah Khan were initially appointed as trustees. Following the cabinet’s approval of the settlement agreement, land worth billions of rupees was allegedly obtained by Khan and his wife in exchange for providing legal cover to the property tycoon’s funds.
