Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi Convicted in Corruption Case
RAWALPINDI:
An accountability court on Friday sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to prison terms in a corruption case. Imran Khan received a 14-year sentence, while Bushra Bibi was sentenced to seven years. The court delivered its judgment at Adiala Jail in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case, presided over by Judge Nasir Javed Rana.
The verdict, initially delayed three times, declared all other accused individuals absent and subsequently marked them as absconders.
In addition to the prison sentences, the court imposed fines: Rs1 million on Imran Khan and Rs0.5 million on Bushra Bibi. Failure to pay these fines would result in an additional six months’ imprisonment for Khan and three months for Bushra Bibi.
Details of the Judgment
The court’s 148-page written verdict stated:
- “The accused, Imran Khan, is found guilty of corruption and corrupt practices under sections 9(a)(ii)(iv)(vi) of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999. He is sentenced to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs1,000,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional six months of simple imprisonment.”
- “The accused, Bushra Bibi, is convicted of aiding, assisting, and abetting in the corrupt practices. She is sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs500,000. In case of non-payment, she will face an additional three months of simple imprisonment.”
The court also ordered the confiscation of the Al-Qadir University Project Trust’s assets, declaring them forfeited to the federal government under Section 10(a) of the NAB Ordinance, 1999.
Prosecution’s Evidence
The judgment highlighted that the prosecution presented compelling documentary evidence and credible witness testimonies, which remained unshaken during cross-examinations by the defense. While minor discrepancies were noted in witness statements, the court deemed them inconsequential in the context of the case.
The judgment further noted:
- “The prosecution has successfully established its case against Imran Ahmed Khan and Bushra Imran beyond a reasonable doubt.”
- “Documents submitted by the defense lacked relevance and credibility under the circumstances of the case.”
- “Bushra Bibi, as a trustee of the Al-Qadir University Project Trust, played a critical role in receiving property and pecuniary benefits, thereby aiding and abetting the crimes alongside her husband.”
Case Background and Proceedings
The £190 million case pertains to allegations of corruption involving Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, and others, following a reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in December 2023. A total of 35 witnesses testified against the accused during the trial.
Several co-accused, including Barrister Shahzad Akbar, Zulfi Bokhari, and Farhat Shehzadi (commonly known as Gogi), were declared proclaimed offenders for their absence.
Prominent individuals, including NAB prosecutors, PTI lawyer Barrister Salman Akram Raja, and Bushra Bibi’s daughter and son-in-law, were present during the court proceedings. The reserved verdict was announced on December 18, marking a significant development in the high-profile case.
