After the Supreme Court’s decision, former prime minister Imran Khan has sought acquittal in the National Accountability Bureau cases against him.
Earlier this week, the apex court rejected Khan’s plea to declare the NAB amendments null and void while approving intra-court appeals from federal and provincial governments, thereby reinstating the NAB amendments.
The detailed ruling stated that Khan could not satisfactorily convince the court regarding the invalidation of the NAB amendments. Following this decision, Barrister Gohar Ali, representing Khan, pointed out that the ruling afforded two key benefits: Firstly, that the Toshakhana case against his client could not proceed, and secondly, the £190 million case was outside the jurisdiction of the accountability court.
The hearing for the £190 million case against Khan took place on Saturday (today) at the Adiala Jail, where both he and Bushra Bibi appeared before the accountability court.
Khan’s lawyers submitted a copy of the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the NAB amendments to the accountability court.
He stated that the case does not hold any validity following the NAB amendments, which provide protection for all cabinet decisions.
Khan’s lawyer raised the question of whether the accountability court has jurisdiction over the case after the NAB amendments. The NAB prosecutor responded that if the court has jurisdiction in the case, then the request for acquittal could be considered.
In response, Khan’s lawyer stated that they have not challenged the court’s jurisdiction, emphasising that it was up to the court to determine its jurisdiction.
The court has issued notices to the parties involved regarding the acquittal request and has postponed the hearing of the case until September 10.