The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has adjourned the hearing of the £190 million corruption case appeal until May 20, setting it as the final deadline for completing arguments. According to Beyond Time News, the court allowed the adjournment despite opposition from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
A two-member bench led by Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif heard the appeals filed by PTI founder Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi against their convictions.
The defence counsel requested additional time to complete legal formalities and obtain instructions from clients, leading to the adjournment.
Case Background
An accountability court had earlier sentenced Imran Khan to 14 years in prison and Bushra Bibi to seven years in the £190 million reference filed by NAB. The case relates to allegations linked to the Al-Qadir Trust arrangement.
Both convicts have challenged the verdict in the Islamabad High Court, where the appeals are now under hearing.
Court Proceedings
NAB opposed the adjournment, stating that the matter had already faced delays. It also raised concerns over public commentary on the case.
The defence argued that legal submissions should remain within court proceedings. After hearing both sides, the court granted a final adjournment and fixed May 20 for the next hearing.
The chief justice clarified that this would be the last opportunity for arguments in the case.
Earlier Developments
Earlier this week, the IHC rejected requests for suspension of sentences, observing that the main appeals were already fixed for hearing and could not be delayed further.
Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi remain in Adiala Jail. Imran Khan has been in custody since August 2023 and is also facing other ongoing cases.
IHC Directs Jail Authorities to Decide Bushra Bibi
About the £190 Million Case
The reference concerns allegations that the Al-Qadir Trust was involved in a financial arrangement linked to land transferred by a property tycoon.
According to Beyond Time News, prosecutors claim that repatriated UK funds were adjusted through a settlement instead of being deposited into the national treasury. Imran Khan has denied all allegations, stating there was no personal gain.
Related FIA Case
Separately, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has submitted a challan in the prohibited funding case involving Imran Khan and others. The case will proceed after scrutiny by the Special Court (Commercial Banking Circle) in Islamabad.
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