
In a contentious decision delivered by a controversial figure, Accountability Court Judge Nasir Javed Rana, former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were sentenced in the Al-Qadir Trust case. The ruling, issued inside a makeshift courtroom at Adiala jail, handed Khan a 14-year sentence and Bushra Bibi seven years, alongside fines of Rs1 million and Rs0.5 million, respectively. Should they fail to pay these fines, Khan will serve an additional six months in jail and Bushra three months. The judgment also directed the federal government to assume custody of the Al-Qadir Trust University.
Judge Nasir Javed Rana’s controversial past has cast a long shadow over the verdict. In 2004, the Supreme Court of Pakistan removed him from judicial duties, declaring him unfit for service following findings of judicial misconduct in an illegal remand case. The matter was referred to the Lahore High Court for further disciplinary action, leading to suspensions and bans for other implicated officials. This episode highlighted the judiciary’s challenges with accountability and integrity, issues now resurfacing as Rana presides over one of Pakistan’s most politically charged cases.
The Al-Qadir Trust case revolves around allegations of misappropriating £190 million sent by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to Pakistan in 2019. These funds, originally intended for the national treasury, were allegedly diverted to benefit the Al-Qadir Trust, a private entity linked to Imran Khan and his wife.
Information Minister Ataullah Tarar called the conviction an “open-and-shut case,” asserting that the Al-Qadir Trust was established to launder black money. He dismissed PTI’s defense as politically motivated and emphasized the transparency of the proceedings. “The evidence of corruption, bribery, and misuse of power was undeniable,” he said.
The PTI strongly condemned the verdict as politically motivated and vowed to challenge it in the superior courts. Omar Ayub, the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, announced, “We will challenge this verdict in the superior courts.” PTI lawyer Faisal Chaudhry accused the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) of acting as a political tool. “NAB’s investigation into the Al-Qadir Trust case is flawed and biased,” he said.
From his jail cell, Imran Khan emphasized the importance of political negotiations, urging for talks to continue over the next seven days. This reflects a shift in strategy, as Khan navigates escalating political and legal challenges.
Government officials defended the ruling, rejecting PTI’s claims of bias. Ataullah Tarar stated that the case followed due process and criticized the PTI for attempting to exploit the religion card during the trial. Opposition figures from the PML-N and PPP welcomed the verdict as a step toward accountability. However, some have called for equal scrutiny of other political figures to avoid perceptions of selective justice.
The credibility of Judge Nasir Javed Rana has become a focal point of criticism following the verdict. His judicial career was marred by controversy long before this case. In 2004, the Supreme Court intervened in a case where Rana, then a magistrate in Rawalpindi, was found guilty of issuing an illegal remand order involving senior lawyer Habib-ul-Wahab-ul-Khairi. The apex court declared him unfit for judicial service, leading to his removal.
The Supreme Court’s ruling went beyond Rana, suspending employees who submitted false affidavits and temporarily banning lawyers involved in the misconduct. This intervention emphasized the necessity of protecting the rights of accused individuals and maintaining judicial integrity. It served as a stern reminder of the consequences of judicial mismanagement and abuse of power.
Despite his removal, Rana later reemerged in the judiciary, eventually presiding over the Al-Qadir Trust case. This history has fueled PTI’s claims of bias, with party leaders questioning how a judge with such a tainted past was entrusted with such a politically sensitive case. “This case is not just about accountability; it’s about selective justice,” said a senior PTI spokesperson.
The Al-Qadir Trust case represents broader governance challenges in Pakistan. The alleged misuse of £190 million, recovered by the NCA from a Pakistani real estate tycoon, highlights concerns about transparency and corruption. Critics argue that the mishandling of these funds during Imran Khan’s tenure reflects deeper systemic issues within Pakistan’s political and financial systems. Imran Khan has consistently denied these allegations, arguing that the funds were utilized for public benefit. However, critics contend that the lack of transparency in handling the NCA money and its alleged diversion to a private trust highlight systemic flaws in governance under his administration.
The verdict has polarized public opinion. PTI supporters have staged protests nationwide, denouncing the ruling as a politically motivated attempt to dismantle their party. Social media platforms have become battlegrounds for heated debates, with hashtags supporting Imran Khan trending nationwide. Government officials have called for calm and warned against unrest.
Imran Khan’s call for dialogue amidst the turmoil reflects a strategic pivot toward negotiation. However, whether these talks can bridge the deep political divide remains uncertain.
The Accountability Court’s verdict against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi is a watershed moment in Pakistan’s political and judicial history. While proponents argue it strengthens accountability, the involvement of Judge Nasir Javed Rana, with his controversial past, has cast doubts over the verdict’s impartiality.
As the PTI prepares to appeal the decision in higher courts, the case underscores the need for judicial reforms to restore public confidence in Pakistan’s justice system. Addressing systemic issues of corruption, governance, and political polarization will be critical to stabilizing the nation in the long term.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance.