The property linked to the alleged “sham trust”
the Al-Qadir University Project Trust
would be forfeited to the Federal Government
Correspondent
Islamabad: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were convicted on January 13, 2024, in the £190 million case, with both receiving significant prison sentences. Imran Khan was sentenced to 14 years in prison, while Bushra Bibi was handed a seven-year jail term.
The conviction was announced by Accountability Court Judge Nasir Javed Rana at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan has been incarcerated for over a year. Along with the prison sentences, the court imposed fines of Rs1 million on Imran and Rs500,000 on Bushra. Failure to pay the fines will result in additional prison time—six months for Imran and three months for Bushra.
The court also ruled that the property linked to the alleged “sham trust,” the Al-Qadir University Project Trust, would be forfeited to the Federal Government, in line with Section 10(a) of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999.
Bushra Bibi was immediately arrested in the courtroom following the verdict, while Imran Khan remained in jail. The verdict was delivered after a series of delays, including a December 2023 postponement and multiple deferrals in early 2024, due to various court proceedings.
PTI Announces Plans to Challenge Conviction
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has vowed to challenge the convictions of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, calling the verdict politically motivated. Senior PTI leaders, including Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz, have expressed their discontent, labeling the decision as a “dark day” for Pakistan’s judiciary. They further asserted that neither Imran Khan nor his wife benefited from the alleged transactions and criticized the judicial system for targeting the founders of Al-Qadir University.
Background of the £190 Million Case
The case centers around funds transferred by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to the Pakistani government, totaling Rs50 billion (approximately £190 million). As Prime Minister, Imran Khan approved a cabinet decision in December 2019 to handle the funds, which were meant to be deposited with the Supreme Court but were allegedly misappropriated. Khan and his wife were accused of receiving land valued in billions of rupees for an educational project linked to the funds.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) filed charges in December 2023, and the court declared the other accused individuals, who had fled abroad, proclaimed offenders. Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were indicted on February 27, 2024. The prosecution presented 35 witnesses, and the defense cross-examined them over 38 hearings. Despite this, no defense witnesses were presented.
Toshakhana Reference: Imran Khan’s Third Conviction
In another blow to the former prime minister, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were sentenced on January 10, 2024, in the Toshakhana reference, marking Khan’s third conviction. The case alleges that the couple retained gifts received during Khan’s tenure as prime minister without proper disclosure. This latest conviction came just days before Pakistan’s general elections scheduled for February 8, 2024.
Political Reactions and Legal Challenges
PTI leaders have condemned the verdict, emphasizing the lack of fair trial procedures. They have vowed to appeal both the Toshakhana and £190 million cases in higher courts. PTI’s Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and senior lawyer Hamid Khan criticized the judicial system, pointing to procedural flaws and alleged delays tactics by the defense.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has celebrated the conviction, with leaders such as Attaullah Tarar calling Imran Khan a “certified Toshakhana thief.” PML-N also accused Khan of undervaluing gifts and selling them in the black market for profit.
Future of PTI Amid Legal Battles
With these convictions and ongoing legal challenges, PTI is navigating a complex political landscape ahead of the February 8 elections. PTI leaders are focusing on maintaining party morale and preparing for a high voter turnout. As the legal battle continues, political commentators and legal experts will closely monitor the situation to gauge the long-term impact on the PTI and Imran Khan’s political future.
