Islamabad Accountability Court Postpones Verdict in £190 Million Al-Qadir Trust Case Involving Imran Khan

An Islamabad accountability court deferred its verdict on the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust corruption case involving former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, on Monday. The decision, initially scheduled for announcement on December 23, was postponed due to upcoming court vacations and other judicial engagements.

Presiding Judge Nasir Javed Rana stated, “The verdict will not be announced today; [winter] vacations are coming, and there is also a course at the high court.” The court will resume proceedings after its winter break, which begins on December 24 and lasts until January 1. A new date for the verdict will be announced soon.

Case Background

The Al-Qadir Trust case accuses Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi of acquiring billions of rupees and land worth hundreds of kanals from Bahria Town Ltd. This was allegedly in return for legalizing Rs. 50 billion repatriated to Pakistan by the UK during Khan’s tenure. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) filed a corruption reference in December against Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, and six others, alleging illicit transfer of state funds for personal benefit.

The reference highlights that despite multiple opportunities to provide information, the accused intentionally withheld details, raising suspicion of corrupt practices. Among those named are property tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain, his son Ahmed Ali Riaz, and PTI government officials Mirza Shahzad Akbar and Zulfi Bukhari, many of whom have been declared proclaimed offenders (POs) after failing to appear for proceedings.

Political and Legal Implications

While testifying before the court on December 10, Imran Khan dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, accusing his opponents of weaponizing institutions to target him and his party. "My political rivals have weaponized institutions to crush dissent and curb democracy," he asserted during his testimony.

Imran’s incarceration over various cases has strained the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) relationship with both the government and the establishment. Over the past year, PTI has held multiple protests, often marked by violence and heavy state repression. However, recent reconciliatory gestures, including the formation of negotiation committees by both PTI and the ruling coalition, indicate a potential thaw in hostilities.

Allegations of Corruption

The NAB reference alleges a “pivotal role” by Imran Khan in the diversion of state funds into private accounts, benefiting Malik Riaz. It also accuses Shahzad Akbar, former head of the Asset Recovery Unit, of orchestrating the scheme, with Bushra Bibi and her close associate Farhat Shahzadi (“Frontwoman”) playing critical roles.

The reference calls for the prosecution of all eight accused based on “sufficient incriminating evidence” under the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO). It demands that the suspects be tried and punished as per the law.

As the legal battle continues, the case underscores the broader challenges of governance and accountability in Pakistan’s political landscape. The postponed verdict is expected to remain a focal point of national attention in the coming weeks, reflecting the intersection of politics, law, and public opinion.