Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for his involvement in the Al-Qadir Trust land corruption case. His wife, Bushra Bibi, has also been sentenced to 7 years in the same case. According to ARY News, the verdict was delivered by an anti-corruption court in Rawalpindi. Imran Khan has been in jail since August 2023.
In this case, charges were filed against Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, and six other individuals, most of whom are currently outside Pakistan. The court has also imposed fines of 1 million PKR on Imran Khan and 500,000 PKR on Bushra Bibi.
Court Verdict Details
Judge Nasir Javed Rana announced the decision in a temporary courtroom set up inside Adiala Jail. This decision, which was delayed three times, was based on a case registered by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in December 2023. The case accused Khan and others of causing a loss of 190 million pounds (approximately 50 billion PKR) to Pakistan’s national treasury.
The Case and Accusations
The Al-Qadir Trust corruption case is one of the largest financial corruption cases in Pakistan’s history. The allegations state that Imran Khan and his wife collaborated with a property tycoon to misuse public funds. While the other accused individuals are outside the country, the trial proceeded against Khan and Bushra Bibi.
Key Details of the Al-Qadir Trust Case
- The case involves allegations of misusing 50 billion PKR, returned to Pakistan by the UK’s National Crime Agency.
- Instead of depositing the funds in the national treasury, the money was allegedly used to acquire land for Al-Qadir University in Jhelum.
- The university was established by Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.
Role of Bushra Bibi
Bushra Bibi, a trustee of the Al-Qadir Trust, is accused of personally benefiting from the agreement. The trust reportedly acquired 458 kanals of land for building the university. Allegedly, the funds meant for public use were diverted to private projects.
Involvement of the Property Tycoon
The property tycoon played a crucial role in this case. He allegedly helped Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi establish the university, benefiting from the misuse of funds.
Anti-Corruption Court’s Decision
The anti-corruption court in Rawalpindi sentenced Imran Khan to 14 years in prison, concluding that the misuse of funds caused significant losses to the national treasury.
Political and Legal Impact
This verdict is a major political blow to Imran Khan. It marks a significant step in Pakistan’s anti-corruption efforts and could have lasting effects on the country’s politics and governance. The decision may lead to further legal proceedings and raise questions about government transparency in Pakistan.