Court Orders Arrest Over Continued Absence
On Friday, an accountability court in Rawalpindi issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Bushra Bibi, the wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, in the £190 million settlement case, also known as the Al-Qadir Trust case. Judge Nasir Javed Rana issued the arrest order due to Bushra’s continued absence from court proceedings, having missed at least eight hearings. The judge has instructed the police to arrest her and present her in court on November 26.
Show-Cause Notice to Bail Guarantor
In addition to the arrest warrant, the court also issued a show-cause notice to the guarantor of Bushra’s bail. The hearing also included the appearance of Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated in Adiala prison. A lawyer representing Bushra sought exemption from the hearing on medical grounds, but the request was disputed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), as the medical certificate presented was issued by Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar, while the notary attestation was done in Islamabad.
Failure to Submit Statements
Neither Bushra nor Imran Khan submitted their statements under Section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) during the hearing. Both were given a 79-point questionnaire to complete for their final statements in the case.
Background of the £190 Million Case
The £190 million case involves an inquiry by NAB regarding a settlement made between the PTI government and a property tycoon, which allegedly resulted in a loss of £190 million to the national exchequer. The settlement pertained to assets seized by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) from the tycoon. The couple is accused of mishandling these funds, and Bushra Bibi is named as an accused due to her role as a trustee of the Al-Qadir Trust, which was allegedly linked to the settlement. They are also accused of receiving undue benefits, including over 458 kanals of land in Sohawa for the establishment of Al-Qadir University.
Political Context
The case comes amid heightened political tensions, with Bushra issuing a rare video message alleging Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the ousting of the Imran Khan-led government in 2022. She also called on PTI supporters to participate in the November 24 protest in Islamabad, adding further controversy to the ongoing case.
Title Suggestion: Non-Bailable Arrest Warrant Issued for Bushra Bibi in £190 Million Settlement Case
