Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi Seek Early Hearing of Al-Qadir Trust Case
ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking an early hearing of their plea to suspend the conviction handed down in the high-profile £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case.
Imran Khan, who faces a 14-year prison term, and Bushra Bibi, who faces seven years, were convicted on January 17 this year. The controversial case revolves around allegations that the couple received billions of rupees and land worth hundreds of kanals from Bahria Town Ltd to allegedly legalise Rs50 billion identified and repatriated by the United Kingdom during the PTI government.
‘Liberty and Freedom at Stake’
In the fresh plea, a copy of which is available with local media, Imran’s legal team argued that there has been unjustified delay in deciding the application for suspension of his sentence.
The application cited the “fundamental right to liberty” under Article 9 of the Constitution, stressing that no citizen can be deprived of freedom except in accordance with due legal process.
The petition noted that despite the initial suspension plea being filed on January 27, it has not been heard “in accordance with Judicial Policy and the Court’s routine”, depriving the PTI founder of his constitutional right to a speedy trial and fair hearing.
Accusations of Political Victimisation
The plea also branded the conviction as a product of “political victimisation”, alleging that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has repeatedly sought adjournments under various pretexts, including the appointment of special prosecutors.
It pointed out that hearings were previously held on May 15, May 27, June 5, and June 26, but no concrete date for deciding the suspension application has yet been set.
Bushra Bibi Cites Gender Protections
In a separate application, Bushra Bibi’s counsel echoed similar concerns, highlighting that the former first lady is entitled to additional protections under Islamic jurisprudence and Pakistani law.
The petition argued that, under Articles 4 and 9 of the Constitution, Bushra Bibi should receive leniency in bail matters, especially as she has already faced multiple prosecutions with “malicious intent”. Her plea referenced her acquittal in the high-profile Iddat case, filed by her ex-husband Khawar Fareed Maneka, which alleged that she remarried during the waiting period after her divorce.
Bushra Bibi’s counsel asserted that the “repeated delays” in hearing her plea are in violation of constitutional safeguards, especially those favouring women in criminal proceedings.
Background of Al-Qadir Trust Case
The NAB had filed a corruption reference in December 2023 against Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, and seven others over the alleged misuse of £190 million. According to NAB, Imran Khan played a “pivotal role” in diverting state funds into a private account used to pay for land by Bahria Town Karachi.
The Bureau claims that Imran failed to justify or disclose the funds despite repeated opportunities.
Next Steps
The legal team has urged the IHC to fix the suspension application for an immediate hearing, arguing that bail and sentence suspension matters are routinely treated on priority basis.
The court has not yet announced a date for the next hearing.
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