The verdict in the £190m Al-Qadir Trust case against former premier Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi — expected to be announced today (Monday) — has been postponed for the third time.
Judge Nasir Javed Rana cited the reason for the delay as Imran and Bushra’s failure to appear in court. The decision — already postponed twice on Dec 23, 2024 and Jan 6, 2025 — will now be announced on January 17 (Friday).
The couple were indicted in the case on Feb 27, 2024, shortly after the general elections.
The case alleges that Imran and Bushra Bibi obtained billions of rupees and land worth hundreds of kanals from Bahria Town Ltd for legalising Rs50 billion that was identified and returned to the country by the United Kingdom during the previous PTI government.
The judge was expected to deliver the verdict in a makeshift courtroom at Adiala Jail, where hearings of the case have continued over the past year.
“Bushra Bibi had knowledge of the verdict being announced but she did not appear before the court,” Judge Rana said. “The PTI founder was sent a message twice but he also did not appear in court yet.”
The judge also said he was present in the court since 8:30am but “neither the suspects nor their lawyers appeared”. “The decision — fully ready and signed — is present with me today,” he asserted.
“The suspects were also given numerous chances during the trial,” Judge Rana added. Imran was quoted as telling the jail officials that he would not appear in court until his lawyers and family members arrived there.
Ahead of the hearing today, Imran’s sisters Aleema, Noreen and Uzma Khan reached Adiala Jail to attend the proceedings. PTI Secretary General Barrister Salman Akram Raja was also present.
On December 23 — the original date the verdict was supposed to be announced — an Islamabad accountability court postponed its verdict in the case until Jan 6 due to winter vacations.
Then, on January 6, the decision could not be pronounced as Judge Nasir Javed Rana was on leave.
As per the reference, Malik Riaz’s son transferred 240 kanals of land to Farhat Shahzadi, while Zulfi Bukhari received land under a trust, which NAB argued did not exist at the time of transfer.
The prosecution further alleged that a trust was created only after the adjustment of the 190m pounds, raising doubts about its legitimacy and purpose.
