£190m case: defence objects to final arguments deadline

ISLAMABAD: Counsel for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi has filed applications challenging an Islamabad High Court order, granting a final opportunity to the defence to present arguments in the £190 million case.

Lawyer Sardar Salman Safdar raised objections to the court’s order that fixed May 20 as the final deadline for concluding arguments in the case, terming the direction unfair in view of the circumstances of the case.

In two separate miscellaneous applications filed on behalf of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, the defence counsel argued that the order requiring final arguments within a strict timeframe was unjust.

He maintained that, given the facts of the case, the direction to conclude arguments in a final sitting amounted to denial of a fair opportunity.

The counsel also raised concerns over alleged difficulties in arranging meetings with the clients in prison and failure to obtain signatures on power of attorney documents.

The counsel requested the court to direct Adiala jail authorities to facilitate meetings with Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, and ensure that signatures on legal documents required for filing appeals in the Supreme Court are completed without delay.

He further requested that Adiala jail officials should be directed to allow meetings and complete attestation of “vakalatnamas” to enable the filing of appeals.

The Islamabad High Court had earlier, in a written order issued on May 15, directed that final arguments in the case be concluded on May 20, observing that repeated adjournments were unacceptable given the sensitivity of the matter.

The court had noted that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had opposed adjournment requests and emphasised that parties must ensure attendance and proceed with arguments without delay.

It also observed that the main appeals had been filed by counsel Salman Safdar, and that no further unnecessary delays would be entertained.

The case relates to allegations that the PTI founder and his spouse benefited from a settlement linked to £190 million, involving funds originally recovered by the UK’s National Crime Agency.

The money was reportedly intended for Pakistan’s national treasury but was later adjusted against fines imposed on property tycoon Malik Riaz for acquiring state land below market value.

The couple, who are trustees of the Al-Qadir Trust, are accused of receiving benefits from the settlement, including land allegedly allocated for the establishment of Al-Qadir University in Jhelum.