The verdict will now be announced at January 6. The date was announced by the court staff.

While the hearing took place today, the judge, Justice Nasir Javed Rana, informed PTI lawyers that the verdict would not be delivered.

Following a short recess, a new date will be announced. Lawyer Khalid Chaudhry expressed expectations of a verdict today, only to be informed by the judge that the high court had other matters to attend to and that a new date would be available shortly.

The Accountability Court had reserved its judgment four days prior, concluding a trial that lasted one year and involved the recording of statements from 35 witnesses by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). PTI lawyers cross-examined these witnesses.

Key witnesses included former Principal Secretary Azam Khan, former Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, and former Federal Minister Zubaida Jalal. The charges in the 190 million pound reference were framed on February 27th of last year.