IHC gives ‘final chance’ in £190m case against Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday granted final time to lawyers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to present arguments in the £190 million case, directing them to present final arguments on May 20.

In a written verdict, IHC Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif said that the court expected all parties to ensure attendance and avoid unnecessary adjournment requests at the next hearing.

“The court expects that parties will not remain absent nor seek unnecessary delays,” the order stated.

The court said that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) opposed a request for adjournment filed by lawyer Sardar Salman Safdar.

It noted that during the previous hearing, all parties had been directed to ensure their presence and proceed with arguments on the appeal.

However, the order said that at Friday’s hearing, instead of advancing arguments, the counsel sought adjournment on “weak grounds”.

“It is also a fact that the main appeals were filed by counsel Salman Safdar,” the court order said.

Citing the sensitivity and importance of the case, the court said it was granting a final opportunity for arguments.

“Salman Safdar should take necessary steps and present arguments on the appeals on May 20,” the order added.

The founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and his spouse are seeking to suspend their sentences pending a final decision on their central appeals.

The allegations against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi centre on claims that he and his wife secured land worth billions of rupees from property tycoon, Malik Riaz, in exchange for a deal that allegedly resulted in a loss of Rs50 billion (£190 million) to the national exchequer.

The funds, originally recovered by the UK’s National Crime Agency, were intended for the national treasury but were reportedly diverted to pay fines imposed on Malik Riaz for acquiring government land at below market value.

The couple, who serve as the sole trustees of the Al-Qadir Trust, are accused of benefitting from the settlement, which included the acquisition of 458 kanals of lands for Al-Qadir University in Jhelum.