Rawalpindi (Web Desk): An accountability court in Islamabad on Friday sentenced Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former premier Imran Khan 14 years in prison and his wife Bushra Bibbi to 7 years in connection with £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case.
The decision was delivered by Judge Nasir Javed Rana inside the premises of Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where Khan has been incarcerated for more than a year.
Along with the sentences, the court also imposed substantial fines on both of them. Imran Khan was fined Rs1 million, while Bushra Bibi Rs0.5 million respectively.
The court also issued a stern warning that failure to pay these fines would lead to additional prison time—six months for Khan and three months for his wife.
The verdict was announced in the presence of officials from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), including Prosecutor General Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi, and a team of lawyers representing the PTI founder, including Barristers Gohar Khan, Shoaib Shaheen, and Salman Akram Raja.
Imran Khan was found guilty of engaging in "corrupt practices" and "abusing his position of authority," while Bushra Bibi faced charges for her involvement in "illegal activities."
As part of the verdict, the court ordered the Al-Qadir Trust University, linked to the couple, to be handed over to the federal government for further management.
Following the announcement, Bushra Bibi was immediately taken into custody, and a cell at Adiala Jail had already been prepared for her.
The court had previously postponed the verdict multiple times, first on December 18 and later on December 23, without providing explanations.
On January 6, the announcement was once again delayed due to the judge's participation in a training session.
Counsel for Khan and Bushra were informed that the verdict would be read on January 13, but once again, the court deferred the ruling when both accused parties failed to appear in person.
As per the allegations raised in the reference, Khan, in his capacity as prime minister, authorized the settlement of a sum amounting to £190 million (approximately Rs50 billion) transferred by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) to the government of Pakistan.
This transaction, which was approved by the federal cabinet on December 32019, was purportedly kept confidential, with Khan failing to disclose the agreement's particulars.
The arrangement stipulated that the funds be placed in the custody of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
