An accountability court in Islamabad convicted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, on Friday in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case.
Judge Nasir Javed Rana sentenced the former prime minister to 14 years in prison and imposed a fine of Rs1 million. His wife received a seven-year prison sentence and a fine of Rs0.5 million. Failure to pay the fines will result in an additional six months of imprisonment for Khan and three months for Bushra Bibi.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), led by Prosecutor General Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi, attended the verdict announcement at Adiala Jail. Bushra Bibi was taken into custody immediately after the ruling, with her jail cell already prepared.
Charges and Verdict
Imran Khan was convicted of “corrupt practices” and “misuse of authority,” while Bushra Bibi was found guilty of “involvement in illegal activities.” The court also ordered that the Al-Qadir Trust University be placed under federal government control.
Security Measures
The Rawalpindi police implemented extensive security arrangements around Adiala Jail, led by SP Saddar Nabeel Khokhar. SDPO Saddar Daniyal Rana oversaw security operations, supported by SHO Saddar Aizaz Azim and other officers. Additional police personnel, including female officers under Inspector Nasreen Batool, were deployed, along with Elite and Dolphin Forces.
The Al-Qadir Trust Case
The case revolves around the £190 million sent to Pakistan by Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) in 2019. The amount, linked to a property tycoon’s seized assets, was meant to be submitted to the Government of Pakistan. Instead, the funds were allegedly used to benefit the Al-Qadir Trust, established shortly after the settlement.
The NAB accused Khan of approving the settlement without disclosing its details, while Zulfi Bukhari, Bushra Bibi, and her close associate Farah Gogi were named as trust members. The trust later received 458 kanals of land, allegedly as part of the arrangement.
Trial Highlights
The trial, lasting over a year, featured testimonies from key witnesses, including ex-cabinet members Pervez Khattak and Zubaida Jalal, and Khan’s former principal secretary Azam Khan. Testimonies revealed that the cabinet had approved a sealed agreement presented by Mirza Shahzad Akbar without full disclosure.
Six co-accused, including Zulfi Bukhari and Farah Gogi, were declared absconders, with their assets frozen. Khan’s list of 16 defense witnesses was rejected by the court. The case saw multiple judicial changes, with Judge Nasir Javed Rana ultimately delivering the verdict.
The Al-Qadir Trust case represents one of the most significant legal challenges faced by the ousted prime minister, whose previous arrest in May 2023 triggered nationwide protests and unrest.