ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have filed an appeal with the Islamabad High Court (IHC) challenging their convictions in the £190 million corruption case. The couple is seeking to overturn the sentences of 14 and 7 years, respectively, handed down by an accountability court earlier this month. In their appeals, they argue that the conviction was based on insufficient evidence and procedural errors.
The couple’s legal team cited the UK Court of Appeal’s ruling on November 26, 2021, asserting that the funds involved in the case were neither the proceeds of crime nor linked to any illegal activities. They clarified that the National Crime Agency (NCA) of the UK had reached a £190 million settlement with property tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain, which involved transferring the funds to the account of Pakistan’s Supreme Court as part of a legal agreement.
Imran Khan’s appeal specifically accuses the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) of withholding critical evidence and failing to present relevant witnesses or documents to support its case. His legal team also noted that the case was initially closed in 2020 after the NCA settlement but was reopened in 2023 for political reasons. They argued that this reopening was done in bad faith.
The appeal challenges the authenticity of a confidentiality deed presented by the prosecution, which Khan’s lawyers claim was unverified and unsubstantiated by forensic analysis. They also argue that the funds transferred to Al-Qadir University Trust, a legally registered entity, were misrepresented in the case and had no connection to personal financial gain for the couple. The appeal further claims that the trial court ignored key evidence that would have exonerated the defendants.
Bushra Bibi’s appeal mirrors her husband’s, asserting that there was no evidence to prove her involvement in any wrongdoing and that the case was politically motivated.
GHQ Protest and Iddat Case Updates
The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) of Rawalpindi rejected Imran Khan’s request for acquittal in the case concerning the violent protest outside the GHQ premises following his arrest on May 9, 2023. The judge stated that 12 out of 18 eyewitnesses had already testified, and the plea could not be entertained at this point in the proceedings.
In a separate matter, Justice Mohammad Azam Khan of the IHC referred the appeal of Khawar Maneka, Bushra Bibi’s ex-husband, regarding the acquittal of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in the Iddat case to the Chief Justice for reassignment to a different bench. Maneka’s lawyer had challenged the acquittal, citing legal inconsistencies, while PTI’s lawyer raised objections regarding the judge’s previous involvement in related cases.
IHC Orders Jail Authorities to Explain Facilities
Chief Justice Aamir Farooq of the IHC summoned the superintendent of Adiala Jail in response to Imran Khan’s petition requesting better prison facilities, including the ability to speak with his sons by phone and access medical care from his personal doctor. Khan’s lawyer claimed that the jail authorities were denying him basic rights. The Chief Justice expressed dissatisfaction with the authorities’ explanation and ordered the jail superintendent to appear in person with a detailed response, ensuring compliance with court orders.
The jail had reported that Khan was allowed a phone call on January 13, as per court orders, though the authorities noted that WhatsApp was not part of the usual protocols. Additionally, Bushra Bibi had visited Khan multiple times during court proceedings. However, the Chief Justice emphasized that such meetings did not constitute proper visits, prompting the further review of the jail’s adherence to the court’s instructions.
