The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has temporarily halted the trial court from delivering its final verdict in the £190 million case against former Prime Minister Imran Khan, demanding the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to provide a response by Wednesday.
The IHC division bench, comprising Justices Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb and Babar Sattar, heard the case regarding Khan’s request for the records of NAB’s previous decision to close the £190 million case.
During the hearing, Salman Akram Raja, Arif Alvi, Shibli Faraz, Ali Muhammad Khan, Azam Khan, and others were present in the courtroom.
Salman Safdar, Khan’s lawyer, argued that the reference against Khan is currently being heard, with 35 witnesses already examined and the cross-examination of the final witness, the investigating officer, ongoing. He highlighted that there are eight accused in the case, six of whom are absconding, while the case against the remaining two, a husband and wife, is still ongoing.
Safdar further stated that the accusation against Khan is that he facilitated the £190 million transaction while serving as Prime Minister. He explained that according to NAB, the funds were supposed to be deposited in a bank but ended up in the Supreme Court’s account. He emphasized that the reference mentions the Al-Qadir Trust case, which is active, and that this is not a “ghost project.”
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When the court inquired about the registration of the trust, Safdar confirmed that it is a registered trust. However, the court responded that it had information indicating the trust was not registered. Safdar promised to provide clarification on this matter in the next hearing.
Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb warned Khan’s lawyers against using delaying tactics, threatening to revoke the stay order on the trial court’s verdict if they continue to do so. He emphasized that if the lawyers continue to employ delaying tactics, the court would withdraw the stay order and direct the trial court to deliver its verdict promptly.
The IHC, while preventing the trial court from issuing a final verdict in the £190 million case, instructed NAB to submit its response by Wednesday. The court also clarified that the trial will continue.
