Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), along with his wife Bushra Bibi, have filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) recent verdict in the £190 million corruption case. They are requesting the suspension of their sentences and their immediate release.
Last month, the IHC had dismissed their petitions seeking suspension of sentences, noting that the main appeals were already scheduled for hearing. However, the petition submitted to the Supreme Court argues that despite accepting the appeal as maintainable, the IHC failed to consider critical aspects of the case. It maintains that rejecting the suspension plea without a preliminary evaluation of the evidence was legally flawed, emphasizing that courts are permitted to assess the merits of the case when deciding on suspension of sentences.
The petition recalls that during the trial, bail was granted and the allegations were found to be baseless. It also highlights that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) repeatedly sought adjournments, resulting in prolonged delays and obstructing timely justice. Furthermore, the petition raises serious health concerns for both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi during their incarceration, noting that Imran developed an eye condition requiring treatment outside prison. It argues that denying release despite severe health issues constitutes a miscarriage of justice.
In addition, the petition details the mental anguish faced by Imran Khan due to solitary confinement and criticizes the manner of his arrest as unlawful and irresponsible. It points out that a higher court had previously ordered his release on the grounds of illegal detention.
Addressing jurisdictional questions, the petition claims the proceedings were politically motivated under the guise of accountability. It notes that recent amendments to NAB laws grant the constitutional court jurisdiction over final appeals, but since the appeal does not mention approaching the constitutional court, the suspension of sentence plea remains maintainable before the Supreme Court.
The petition seeks a declaration from the Supreme Court that the IHC order is null and void, requests suspension of the sentences, and demands the immediate release of both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.
Earlier, an accountability court in Islamabad sentenced Imran Khan to 14 years in prison along with a Rs1 million fine, while Bushra Bibi received a seven-year sentence and a Rs500,000 fine. The court also denied their request to prioritize the suspension of sentence pleas, which aimed to secure their release on bail pending the outcome of the main appeals.
The case, known as the Al-Qadir Trust or £190 million case, involves allegations that in 2019, Imran Khan and others misappropriated Rs50 billion (equivalent to £190 million at the time). This amount was sent by Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to the Pakistani government during his tenure as prime minister. The funds relate to assets seized from a property tycoon by the NCA during PTI’s rule.
The British agency had stated that the funds were intended for the Government of Pakistan as part of a civil settlement with the tycoon and did not imply any finding of guilt. Nonetheless, the National Accountability Bureau filed a reference in December 2023, followed by formal charges against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi on February 27, 2024. The charges allege that a confidential settlement with the British agency was reached and approved by Imran Khan on December 3, 2019, without disclosing the details.
