High Court Temporarily Halts Verdict in Corruption Case Against Imran Khan and Wife

A high court in Pakistan temporarily stopped a trial court from issuing a verdict in a corruption case against former premier Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi. The case, involving the Al-Qadir Trust, alleges significant financial losses to the national exchequer. Proceedings will continue as scheduled.

A high court in Pakistan temporarily barred a trial court on Monday from delivering its verdict in a corruption case against jailed former premier Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi.

The case concerns the Al-Qadir Trust and accuses Khan of causing a loss of over Rs 50 billion to the national treasury. A two-judge bench of the Islamabad High Court, comprising Justices Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb and Babar Sattar, heard Khan's petition to review the National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) earlier decision to close the case.

Barrister Salman Safdar, representing Khan, noted that the case originally involved eight accused, of whom six remain at large. ''A total of 35 witnesses have testified so far, with the cross-examination of the final witness ongoing,'' Safdar informed the court. After deliberations, the bench halted the trial court from announcing its verdict but allowed the trial to proceed as planned.

Originating from a NAB probe into the Al-Qadir University Trust in March 2023, the case alleges Khan and his wife amassed substantial sums and land for real estate magnate Malik Riaz in exchange for Rs50 billion. This amount, paid as part of a settlement with the UK's National Crime Agency, was adjusted against a fine imposed on Riaz by Pakistan's Supreme Court and was supposed to be transferred to the government's account.

(With inputs from agencies.)