£190m case enters its final stages

The £190 million corruption case has entered its final stages as the prosecution, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), has decided not to call 14 of its witnesses.

Counsel for the defendants, including former prime minister Imran Khan and his spouse, Bushra Bibi, have already cross-examined 35 prosecution witnesses. With the reduction in the number of witnesses, the cross-examination process has concluded, allowing the defendants to present their own witnesses and evidence.

On Wednesday, Islamabad Accountability Court-I Judge Nasir Javed Rana presided over the hearing of the case in a courtroom inside Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are detained. Both were present in the courtroom.

During the hearing, Bushra Bibi's lawyers submitted a request for her acquittal, and the court issued notices to the respondents. NAB also informed the court that it had decided not to call an additional 14 witnesses. Imran Khan's counsel partially cross-examined the investigation officer in the case. The court adjourned proceedings until today (Thursday).