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Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi File Petition for Early Hearing in £190 Million Case
Imran Khan & Bushra Bibi urge early hearing in £190m Al-Qadir Trust case. Petition in IHC cites delays, calls it political revenge. “Justice must be seen to be done.”
ND
by News Desk
2025-04-11
Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi File Petition for Early Hearing in £190 Million Case

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) requesting an early hearing of their appeals in the high-profile £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case.

The petitions were submitted by Khalid Yousuf Chaudhry on behalf of the couple, with both applications seeking expedited hearings. The petitioners argue that the delay in hearings, with no progress since the January 17 ruling, risks an injustice, particularly as Imran Khan, a former prime minister, is being targeted for alleged political revenge.

The petition emphasizes that justice must be not only done but seen to be done, and an early hearing is necessary to ensure timely justice. Khan and Bibi's applications were assigned diary numbers 7115/24 and 7116/24, respectively, as part of their appeal process.

Background of the Case: The £190 million case centers around allegations that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi illicitly acquired land from Bahria Town Limited, using their political influence to legitimize the transfer of funds—specifically £140 million from the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) to Pakistan. This amount was allegedly meant to be deposited into the national treasury but was instead used to settle dues owed by Bahria Town Karachi.

The case has deepened with claims of illegal land acquisition for Al-Qadir University, constructed using these questionable financial benefits. Imran Khan faces accusations of misleading the Pakistani cabinet and concealing key facts related to the agreement.

The trial, launched as the largest financial reference in Pakistan’s history, was filed with the Accountability Court on December 1, 2023, and saw the accused formally indicted on February 27, 2024. NAB (National Accountability Bureau) presented testimony from 35 witnesses, and Khan's legal team cross-examined several of them. Despite these proceedings, the accused have not presented any defense witnesses.

The trial, however, has faced several procedural challenges. Three judges have been replaced, and the defense lawyers have requested multiple opportunities to cross-examine witnesses. The accused have also faced setbacks in their attempts to summon additional witnesses, with the court rejecting their application to call 16 individuals as court witnesses.

Bushra Bibi was granted pre-arrest bail by the Accountability Court, while Imran Khan received bail from the IHC. However, the IHC left the trial court to decide on any possible acquittals, raising the stakes for the couple in the ongoing legal battle.

As of now, six accused, including key figures such as Farhat Shahzad Gogi, Zulfi Bukhari, and Shahzad Akbar, remain absconding abroad, while only Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are facing trial. On January 6, 2024, the court declared these six individuals as proclaimed offenders.

 
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