Imran leaves NAB after five-hour stay

Accountability bureau asks PTI chief to answer for 'illegal transfer' of 190 million pounds in Al-Qadir Trust case

RAWALPINDI:

Islamabad. PTI chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan on Tuesday was grilled for nearly five hours at the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) Rawalpindi headquarters in connection with the case retitled from the ‘Al-Qadir Trust reference' to the ‘National Crime Agency £190 million scandal’.

According to sources, the relevant documents were provided to the former prime minister and a response was sought the next time he appeared before a team of five NAB investigators led by the anti-graft body’s director general.

عمران خان نیب راولپنڈی آفس پہنچ گئے۔
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— PTI (@PTIofficial) May 23, 2023

They added that the PTI chief had not brought along with him sufficient documents or evidence in his favour. The NAB sources said the investigation was still in its very early stages and any kind of speculations should be avoided.

They continued that the PTI chairman would be provided with every opportunity to prove his innocence.

During the interrogation, Imran responded to the questionnaire sent to him by NAB.

The anti-graft body also issued a statement explaining why it had not summoned the ex-premier’s spouse, Bushra Bibi, in connection with the case.

The NAB interrogators recorded Imran’s replies to 20 questions related to the “illegal” transfer of £190 million.

Read What is the corruption case against Imran Khan?

The anti-graft body had also sought records of Imran’s correspondence with Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and freezing orders for £190 million.

The PTI chief was also asked about all donations received for Al-Qadir University.

The records of the trust deed between Al-Qadir Trust and the company of the suspects were also sought.

According to NAB, Imran and his wife’s Al-Qadir Trust also allegedly acquired huge sums of money from the accused in the form of donations.

According to the sources, Imran told the NAB team that the record of the decision related to £190 million was with the Cabinet Division and he did not have access to the record of Britain’s NCA

He added that the details of Al-Qadir Trust had already been received by NAB.

NAB has also sought details of all bank accounts of the PTI chief and his dependents, including his wife and children.

Imran left the premises surrounded by his personal security.

Tight security was put in place around the NAB premises in Rawalpindi ahead of the former prime minister’s arrival.

Earlier in the day, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) granted interim bail till June 8 to the PTI chairman in eight cases registered by the federal capital police related to protests, vandalising public property and violation of Section-144 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

ATC judge Raja Jawad Abbas heard the interim bail petitions of Imran against FIRs registered in various police stations of Islamabad.

NAB launched an investigation against Imran, his wife Bushra Bibi and others for the alleged gain of hundreds of canals of land in the name of Al-Qadir University Trust, which reportedly caused a loss of £190 million to the national exchequer.

Read more Imran fears arrest as he appears before NAB today

According to the charges, the deposed premier and others allegedly adjusted Rs50 billion -- £190 million at the time -- sent by Britain’s NCA to the Pakistani government.

They also face charges of receiving undue benefits in the form of over 458 kanals of land at Mouza Bakrala in Sohawa to set up the Al-Qadir University.

Later, then prime minister Imran acquired approval of the settlement with the Britain’s crime agency from his cabinet on December 3, 2019, without disclosing the details of the confidential agreement.

It was decided that the money would be submitted to the Supreme Court on behalf of the tycoon.

On May 9, Imran was arrested in connection with the case from the premises of the Islamabad High Court by dozens of Rangers personnel, triggering countrywide protests.

However, on May 11, the Supreme Court came to his rescue, declaring that his arrest was “illegal” and ordered his release.

On May 12, the Islamabad High Court stopped the authorities from arresting the PTI chairman in any case, including undisclosed ones, filed against him anywhere in the country till May 15.

It also granted the PTI chief interim bail for two weeks in the Al-Qadir Trust case.

(With input from APP)