Case Alleged to Be Politically Motivated
Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have challenged their conviction in the £190 million case in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
Key Points:
- The accountability court in Islamabad convicted Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in the £190 million case earlier this month, sentencing the former prime minister to 14 years and his wife to 7 years in prison with heavy fines.
- The case, known as the Al-Qadir Trust case, alleged that Imran Khan and others in 2019 adjusted Rs50 billion (equivalent to £190 million at the time) sent by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to the Pakistani government during his tenure as prime minister.
- PTI rejected the verdict, calling it political victimization and stating that it was orchestrated by opponents using NAB as a tool.
- The petition argued that the trial court misread the evidence and failed to consider critical facts, making the conviction unsafe.
- The petition also highlighted that NAB failed to produce any witnesses from the UK or Pakistan to support the case, and referenced a UK Court of Appeal ruling that contradicted the prosecution’s claims.
- The petitioners criticized the rushed nature of the trial, alleging undue pressure and violation of natural justice principles.
