An accountability court in Islamabad has convicted former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the £190 million corruption case, also known as the Al-Qadir Trust case. The verdict, which was delayed three times, was announced on Friday by Accountability Court Judge Nasir Javed Rana.
Imran Khan was sentenced to 14 years in prison, while Bushra Bibi received a seven-year sentence. The court also imposed heavy fines on the couple. Imran Khan was fined Rs1 million, and Bushra Bibi was fined Rs0.5 million. If they fail to pay these fines, Imran Khan will face an additional six months in prison, and Bushra Bibi will serve three more months.
The case involves allegations that Imran Khan and his associates mishandled £190 million sent by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) to the Pakistani government in 2019. This money was linked to a property tycoon whose assets had been seized by the NCA. The NCA had said that the money was meant to be transferred to the Pakistani government as part of a settlement with the property mogul, but it was later alleged that the funds were misappropriated. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) filed charges against Imran Khan and his wife in December 2023, claiming that they were involved in a secret deal to launder this money through a trust called the Al-Qadir Trust.
Imran Khan was convicted under corruption-related charges, including "misuse of authority," while Bushra Bibi was convicted for assisting in the corrupt activities. The court also ordered that the Al-Qadir Trust University be handed over to the government of Pakistan.
The case has been controversial, with the NAB accusing Imran Khan of entering into a secret settlement with the NCA and allowing the money to be used for personal gain through the trust. The money that was supposed to go to the government ended up being used to support the Al-Qadir Trust, which was allegedly set up to cover up the source of the funds. Several key figures, including Imran's close associates, were implicated in the case.
The property tycoon involved in the case was alleged to have provided black money to the trust in exchange for the settlement reached with the NCA. The investigation also revealed that PTI leaders, including Zulfi Bukhari and Babar Awan, were linked to the trust, and they allegedly benefitted from land deals connected to the property mogul.
Imran Khan’s first arrest took place on May 9, 2023, when he was taken into custody from the Islamabad High Court. His arrest triggered violent protests by his supporters, who attacked military and state institutions. Imran was released on bail a few days later after the Islamabad High Court ruled his arrest illegal. His trial continued, with several witnesses, including former cabinet ministers and key officials, providing testimony against him.
The prosecution presented a document to the cabinet in 2019 that described the deal between the Pakistani government and the NCA regarding the crime proceeds. The court heard that Imran Khan had approved this agreement without fully informing his cabinet members, which led to the corruption charges. Witnesses also testified that the proceeds of crime were misused for personal gain.
During the trial, six co-accused, including Zulfi Bukhari, Farah Gogi (a close associate of Bushra Bibi), and Mirza Shahzad Akbar, were declared absconders, meaning they were not present in court and their assets were frozen. These individuals were linked to the creation and operation of the Al-Qadir Trust.
The trial lasted more than a year and saw multiple judicial changes. The hearings were presided over by four different judges, including Judge Muhammad Bashir, Judge Nasir Javed Rana, Judge Muhammad Ali Warraich, and Judge Rana again.
After the verdict, Bushra Bibi was taken into custody and sent to Adiala Jail. Sources said her cell had already been prepared. The authorities took extensive security measures around the jail, including deploying police from multiple stations and special forces like the Elite and Dolphin Forces. Plain-clothes officers were also stationed to monitor the situation closely.
The Al-Qadir Trust case revolves around accusations that Imran Khan and his wife misused their authority to divert the £190 million that was intended for the government. The money was originally related to a civil case involving a property tycoon whose assets were seized by the NCA. The Pakistani government reached a settlement with the NCA in 2019, and the funds were meant to be used for the public good. However, the prosecution alleges that the funds were instead directed into the Al-Qadir Trust, which was created to disguise the source of the money.
The court’s decision to convict Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi has sparked significant attention. Supporters of the PTI party have criticized the verdict, calling it politically motivated, while the government and NAB officials have hailed the conviction as a victory in the fight against corruption.
The case is part of a broader series of legal challenges faced by Imran Khan since his removal from office in 2022. His supporters have accused the government and military of using legal cases to undermine his political influence, while critics argue that the convictions demonstrate the accountability of leaders, regardless of their status.
This verdict marks a significant development in the ongoing political and legal battles surrounding Imran Khan, who remains a key figure in Pakistan's political landscape despite these legal challenges.