Accountability Court Charges PTI Founder and Former First Lady
In a significant development today, the Accountability Court indicted PTI founder Imran Khan and former First Lady Bushra Bibi in the £190 million reference. The case, presided over by Accountability Court Judge Nasir Javed Rana inside Adiala jail, marks another legal setback for the former prime minister.
This indictment comes on the heels of recent sentences for Khan and Bibi. They were previously handed seven years in jail in the illegal nikkah case on February 4, followed by a 14-year sentence in the Toshakhana criminal case.
The £190 Million Reference Explained
The £190 million case stems from the UK’s National Crime Agency’s agreement in 2019 with the Malik Riaz family after a frozen funds investigation. The NCA reached a settlement of £190 million, including a valuable UK property – 1 Hyde Park Place, London, W2 2LH – and all funds from frozen accounts to be returned to the government of Pakistan.
Authorities allege that Khan and his wife received land worth millions of dollars as a bribe from a real estate tycoon through the Al-Qadir Trust. Notably, the Trust is a non-governmental welfare organization established by Bushra and the former prime minister during his time in office.
Current Status
Imran Khan remains incarcerated in Adiala jail, while Bushra Bibi has been placed under house arrest at their Islamabad residence in Bani Gala.
This latest development further complicates the legal landscape for Imran Khan and his associates, raising questions about the future of PTI and the political landscape in Pakistan. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.
