A court in Rawalpindi convicted former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the Al-Qadir Trust case on Saturday. Khan received a 14-year prison sentence, while Bibi was sentenced to seven years.The case centers on allegations that Khan and others misused 50 billion Pakistan rupees (equivalent to £190 million at the time) in 2019. These funds, originating from Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA), were meant for the Pakistani government then led by Khan.
An accountability court in Rawalpindi has sentenced former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to 14 years in prison and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to seven years in the Al-Qadir Trust case. This high-profile case involves allegations of misappropriation of funds sent by Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) during Khan’s tenure as prime minister.
Details of the Al-Qadir Trust case
The case centers around 50 billion PKR (approximately £190 million) transferred by the NCA to Pakistan in 2019. The funds, linked to assets of a property tycoon, were part of a settlement between the tycoon and the NCA. While the NCA clarified that the settlement was a civil matter, Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) alleged that Imran Khan approved the settlement without disclosing the details.The NAB stated that the funds were initially intended for submission to Pakistan’s Supreme Court on behalf of the tycoon. However, the Al-Qadir Trust was established shortly afterward, allegedly to provide legal cover for the funds. The trust’s members included Khan, Bushra Bibi, and close associates such as Zulfi Bukhari, Babar Awan, and Farhat Shehzadi.
Corruption allegations and land transfer
The NAB accused Zulfi Bukhari, a close aide of Khan, of accepting 458 kanals of land following the cabinet’s approval of the settlement. The land was later transferred to the Al-Qadir Trust, which is now registered under the names of Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, and Farhat Shehzadi. Key witnesses during the trial included former cabinet members and officials who testified about the settlement’s approval process and the lack of transparency.
Legal proceedings and protests
Khan was initially arrested on May 9, 2023, triggering nationwide protests by his party’s supporters. Although he was granted bail shortly thereafter, the trial continued over the course of a year. The proceedings involved testimony from former officials and multiple judicial changes, with four judges presiding over the case at different times.
The court also declared six co-accused, including Bukhari and Farhat Shehzadi, as absconders, leading to the freezing of their assets and bank accounts. Despite submitting a list of 16 witnesses, Khan’s request to summon them was denied.