Court to review Imran's acquittal request

IHC notes trial court did not provide reasons while rejecting plea in £190m case

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed a trial court to once again hear the acquittal pleas of former prime minister Imran Khan in the £190m case.

A division bench of the capital's high court comprising IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb on Thursday heard the appeal filed by Imran against the Islamabad Accountability Court-I order on his acquittal plea.

During the hearing, one of the counsels for the PTI founder said the acquittal plea was filed on the grounds that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB)—the prosecution—failed to prove that the federal cabinet's decision with regard to the £190m during Imran's rule was made for personal gains.

Imran's counsel Zaheer Abbas contended that the federal cabinet enjoys immunity from NAB action as long as its decisions are not aimed at securing someone's personal interests.

Justice Farooq noted that the accountability court also did not provide reasons in its decision to dismiss the acquittal application, and the decision lacks findings. "We will send the case back to the accountability court to make a decision again with stated reasons," he said.

The PTI founder's lawyer requested that the court also direct the accountability court to decide within two weeks. The NAB prosecutor pointed out that the accountability court has not yet ruled on Bushra Bibi's acquittal application.

The PTI's lawyer said Bushra Bibi has never held a public office, and 35 witnesses have said nothing against her. The court said it will issue instructions regarding her application as well.