ISLAMABAD: The verdict in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan will now be announced on January 13, according to Islamabad accountability court staff on Monday.
The delay comes as Judge Nasir Javed Rana is currently on leave. Court staff confirmed that the postponement has been communicated to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor and the PTI’s legal team.
This is the second time the verdict—originally reserved on December 18—has been deferred. It was previously set to be announced on December 23 but was postponed.
Case Background
The former prime minister, along with his wife Bushra Bibi and others, is accused by NAB of causing a loss of £190 million to Pakistan’s national exchequer. The case involves a settlement between the PTI government and a property tycoon during Khan’s tenure.
According to NAB, the accused adjusted Rs50 billion (equivalent to £190 million at the time) sent by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to the Pakistani government. The funds were allegedly directed to the Supreme Court on behalf of the property tycoon, bypassing transparency.
In return, the tycoon reportedly provided land worth billions of rupees to establish an educational institute under the Al-Qadir Trust, founded shortly after the PTI-led government approved the settlement.
Trial Developments
Khan and Bushra were arrested by NAB in November 2023 and interrogated for 17 days. Charges were formally filed against them on February 27, 2024.
Prominent witnesses, including former cabinet members Pervez Khattak and Zubaida Jalal, ex-principal secretary Azam Khan, and the CFO of Al-Qadir University, testified against Khan. Six co-accused, including Zulfi Bukhari, Farhat Shahzadi, Mirza Shahzad Akbar, and Zia-ul-Mustafa Nasim, were declared absconders, with orders to freeze their assets and bank accounts.
During the proceedings, the Islamabad High Court granted bail to Khan in the case, while Bushra secured pre-arrest bail from the trial court. However, the PTI founder’s request to summon 16 witnesses was denied.
Judicial Transitions
The case has seen significant judicial changes, with four judges presiding over the proceedings at different times: Judge Muhammad Bashir, Judge Nasir Javed Rana, Judge Muhammad Ali Warraich, and then Judge Rana resuming.
Despite multiple delays and legal challenges, the long-awaited verdict remains pending.
