Imran Khan Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison in £190 Million Reference Case
The Accountability Court of Islamabad has sentenced Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Founder Imran Khan to 14 years in prison and imposed a Rs. 1 million fine after convicting him in the £190 million reference case.
Additionally, Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, has been sentenced to 7 years in prison with a Rs. 0.5 million fine. The court also ordered the confiscation of land belonging to Al-Qadir University.
The verdict was delivered by Accountability Court Judge Nasir Javed Rana at Adiala Jail, where the trial proceedings were held.
Read More: PTI leadership calls for countrywide shutdown today
Details of the Case and Absconding Accused
The case also involves several absconding suspects, including Malik Riaz, Ali Riaz, Farhat Shehzadi, Shehzad Akbar, Zulfi Bukhari, and Zia-ul-Mustafa Naseem. The court has issued permanent arrest warrants for these individuals.
The investigation into the case was led by Deputy Director of NAB, Mian Umar Nadeem, who was present at Adiala Jail during the verdict announcement.
Delayed Verdict Announcement
The trial concluded on December 18, 2024, but the verdict was delayed multiple times. Initially scheduled for December 23, 2024, the announcement was postponed to January 6 and then January 13 due to various reasons, including the absence of the accused. Finally, on January 14, the court issued a written order setting January 17 as the date for the final decision.
Courtroom Proceedings and Absence of Bushra Bibi
While Judge Nasir Javed Rana arrived at Adiala Jail to deliver the verdict, some defense lawyers and members of the NAB prosecution team were absent. Three NAB prosecutors—Irfan Ahmed, Sohail Arif, and Owais Arshad—were present at the venue.
Bushra Bibi did not attend the proceedings; however, her daughter and son-in-law were present at Adiala Jail for the hearing.
This high-profile case marks a significant development in Pakistan’s political and legal landscape, with major repercussions for Imran Khan and his family.
