An Islamabad accountability court has postponed its verdict on a high-profile corruption case involving former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, until January 6, according to reports from Pakistani media.
The case, tied to the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust scandal, has been under scrutiny since February 27, when the couple was indicted shortly after Pakistan’s general elections. The allegations stem from claims that Khan and Bushra Bibi benefited from billions of rupees and land worth hundreds of acres, reportedly obtained from Bahria Town Ltd. This arrangement was allegedly part of a scheme to “legalize” Rs50 billion ($175 million) returned to Pakistan by the United Kingdom during Khan’s tenure as prime minister, according to Dawn newspaper.
The court had initially reserved its decision on December 18, stating that the ruling would be announced on December 23. However, during proceedings on Monday, Judge Nasir Javed Rana cited upcoming winter vacations and judicial training as reasons for the delay. “The verdict will not be announced today; [winter] vacations are coming, and there is also a course at the high court,” Judge Rana said.
The court is set to go on winter break from December 24 to January 1.
Imran Khan’s legal team, led by Khalid Chaudhry, expressed disappointment over the delay, stating they had anticipated the verdict on Monday. Judge Rana assured the defense that a new date for the ruling would be announced soon.
PTI Calls Case Politically Motivated
Waqas Akram, the central information secretary for Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, criticized the postponement during a press conference in Peshawar. He described the corruption case as baseless and “the worst example of political vindictiveness” targeting Khan and his wife. Akram further stated that Khan had no personal interest in the matter and suggested the case was aimed at undermining the former prime minister’s credibility.
The delay adds to tensions between Khan’s PTI party and the government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Relations have been strained since Khan’s incarceration last year on multiple charges, which the PTI claims are politically motivated.
Amid escalating political discord, Sharif recently formed a committee to initiate negotiations with PTI, as Pakistan continues to grapple with deepening political and economic crises.
