Imran, Bushra convicted in £190m case; sentenced to 14 and 7 years, respectively

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Former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were convicted on Friday in the £190 million case. Imran Khan was sentenced to 14 years in prison, while Bushra Bibi received a seven-year jail term.

Accountability Court Judge Nasir Javed Rana announced the order in a courtroom inside Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail, where Imran had been detained for over one year.

In addition to the prison sentences, the court imposed fines of Rs1 million on Imran and Rs500,000 on Bushra. If the fines are not paid, Imran Khan will serve an additional six months in prison, and Bushra Bibi will face an extra three months.

The verdict also declared that the property of the "sham trust," Al-Qadir University Project Trust, is to be forfeited to the Federal Government in accordance with Section 10(a) of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999.

The verdict was announced amid tight security outside jail. Following the verdict, Bushra Bibi was immediately arrested in the courtroom.

It is to be noted that judge Rana had reserved his verdict in the case on December 18 while adjourning the case till December 23. However, on December 23, the court deferred announcing the order without giving any reasons.

On January 6, the next date of hearing, the verdict was once again not unveiled as the judge was attending a training session organized for all the district and session judges.

Ahead of the last hearing of the case, the court staff informed counsels for Imran and Bushra that the judge was going to announce the verdict on January 13 but on that day, the court once again deferred announcing its verdict after Imran Khan and his wife failed to show up in the court.

PTI to challenge Imran's conviction

Following the verdict, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leadership announced to challenge the conviction of Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the £190 million case, calling the decision politically motivated and vowing to appeal it in higher courts.

Speaking to media, Opposition leader Omar Ayub labelled the ruling a "dark day" in Pakistan’s judicial history. He questioned the connection between the funds involved and the PTI leadership, asserting that the Supreme Court received the money, not Imran Khan or Bushra Bibi.

Shibli Faraz argued that neither Khan nor Bushra Bibi benefited from the alleged transactions. He contended that they were being punished for founding Al-Qadir University, which aimed to promote the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Faraz criticised the system, stating, "Those who looted the country walk free, while sincere leaders face jail." He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to challenging the verdict and pursuing justice.

What is the £190 million case?

The case alleges that Imran Khan and others involved adjusted Rs50 billion—equivalent to £190 million at the time—that was transferred by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) to the Pakistani government.

As PM, Khan obtained cabinet approval for this settlement on December 3, 2019, without disclosing the confidential details of the agreement. The arrangement had stipulated that the funds would be submitted to the Supreme Court.

According to NAB officials, Khan and his wife received land worth billions of rupees intended for the construction of an educational institute.

NAB filed the reference on December 1, 2023 against eight accused persons including Imran and his wife. The court on January 6, 2024 declared the rest of six accused proclaimed offenders as they did not face the trial and escaped to foreign countries. The court indicted Imran and Bushra on February 27, 2024. The prosecution presented 35 witnesses, whom the defense later cross-examined.

Key witnesses in the case included PM's former principal secretary Azam Khan, former defense minister Pervez Khattak and former federal minister Zubaida Jalal.

Three different judges presided over the case at various stages of the trial while the final investigative officer, Mian Umar Nadeem, was cross-examined after 38 hearings.

The accountability court provided the accused 15 opportunities to complete their statements under Section 342. However, no witnesses were presented by the defence.