Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan expressed his frustration over the postponement of the verdict in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case during a media interaction at the Adiala Jail.

He claimed that the delay was a tactic to exert pressure on him, similar to previous legal challenges he has faced.

“The decision regarding the Al-Qadir Trust is being stalled merely to apply pressure on me, as was done in earlier cases,” Khan was quoted as saying in a statement on social media.

He urged for an “immediate resolution,” emphasising that just as the courts had been “embarrassed” in the iddat and cipher cases, the same would occur again if the situation continued. He also described the case as “bogus” and lacking merit.

This marks the second postponement of the verdict in this case. On December 18, the court reserved its decision after the defence concluded its arguments, indicating that a verdict would be delivered on December 23. However, during the hearing on December 23, Judge Rana announced a further delay until January 6, citing the court’s winter break from December 24 to January 1.

Court sets new date for £190 million case verdict

The verdict in the £190 million reference case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, has been postponed yet again.

Sources indicate the decision will now be announced on January 13.

According to court staff, the postponement is due to Accountability Court Judge Nasir Javed Rana being on leave. The court staff has informed the NAB prosecutor, Sohail Arif, and PTI’s lawyer, Khalid Yousaf, of the delay.

The Accountability Court had reserved its judgment on December 18. The case, originally scheduled for a verdict on December 23, was previously adjourned to January 6th before this latest postponement.

This marks the third time the announcement of the verdict has been delayed.

Social media is linking the postponement of the January 6 verdict to ongoing negotiations between the government and the PTI.

The case

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested PTI founder Imran Khan on November 13, 2023, in connection with the £190 million reference case. He was held in Adiala Jail for 17 days, undergoing interrogation. Subsequently, on December 1, 2023, NAB filed the £190 million reference in the Accountability Court.

Further interrogations of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi took place in Adiala Jail after the filing of the reference.

On February 27, 2024, the court indicted Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. The case involved over 100 hearings. NAB initially submitted a list of 59 witnesses, and statements from 35 witnesses were recorded. The defense lawyers completed cross-examination of all 35 witnesses.