The defence counsel fought a £190 million case on “political grounds” and did not submit any evidence to counter proofs given by the prosecution, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Friday.

“190 million pounds scam was the mega corruption case in Pakistan’s history,” he told reporters in Islamabad after the court handed down punishments to jailed former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar accompanied him at the presser.

The minister said the judge in the verdict stated that the defence counsel “could not present evidence to prove the innocence of the accused.”

He added that the defence team could not respond to the evidence of bribery, corruption and misuse of power and authority provided by the prosecution.

Tarar lamented that the PTI had the “habit of using religion card” and in the case, the party tried to “hide behind” the religion.

The Al-Qadir Trust, he claimed was created to launder black money earned through corruption and bribery.

The minister added that the PTI has the right of appeal but the party would have to prove that no sealed envelope was brought to the cabinet meeting and it did not approve the agenda item.

“The defence counsel will have to prove that no house was built in Lahore with that money. It is ironic that the money confiscated by NCA and returned to Pakistan government was returned to the person from whom it was taken,” he said.

“This was an open and shut case from day one. Corruption, bribery, and misuse of authority are proven in this case,” Tarar said and added that sentence was awarded to the accused while “fulfilling” the legal requirements.

The sentence passed was on merit, he claimed and added that the accused had failed to prove their “innocence.”

He claimed that lawyers and analysts hailed the verdict, saying that it was in accordance with the law.

Read more

Bahria Town’s Malik Riaz got back Rs50 billion he had to pay Pakistan: Musadik Malik

What will be course of PTI negotiations with government after Khan, his wife conviction?

Here is the written order for conviction of Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi in £190 million case

Independent judiciary

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar reiterated the government’s dedication to maintaining an independent judiciary while addressing irregularities surrounding a £190 million settlement case.

Tarar told reporters that the issue of the £190 million first emerged when the incumbent government took office. In a cabinet meeting, it was disclosed that the UK’s Asset Recovery Unit had initiated an investigation.

Initially, he said that Hussain Nawaz was implicated but was later exonerated after an inquiry.

“The focus then shifted to Malik Riaz’s Bahria Town family, who became central to the settlement,” Tarar said and added that according to the law, the recovered funds should have been returned to the federal government.

Upon assuming power, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the National Accountability Bureau to investigate the situation.

A cabinet committee was established to review the details, and the Attorney General’s office was tasked with filing a case in the Supreme Court, asserting that the funds rightfully belonged to taxpayers and should be deposited into the federal treasury.