Following the conclusion of arguments by all parties, an accountability court in Rawalpindi on Wednesday reserved its verdict in the \u00a3190 million settlement case against PTI founder Imran Khan, and his wife Bushra Bibi. Accountability Court Judge Nasir Javed Rana presided over the hearing inside the Adiala Jail on Tuesday as Mr Khan and his spouse appeared before the court. The prosecution, represented by NAB\u2019s lawyer Amjad Pervaiz, shed light on developments in the case and allegations against Mr Khan and his associates. In its reference against Mr Khan, the NAB alleged that the former prime minister\u2019s cabinet approved a confidential deed in 2019 to give \u00a3190m \u2014 seized by the UK\u2019s National Crime Agency (NCA) and returned to Pakistan \u2014 back to the real estate tycoon Malik Riaz. The case alleged that the former prime minister and his wife, Ms Bushra, in return, got billions of rupees and land worth hundreds of kanals from Mr Riaz\u2019s Bahria Town for \u201clegalising\u201d the money. Mr Pervaiz, NAB\u2019s counsel, stated that the deed related to the recovery of \u00a3190 million was signed on November 6, 2019. The first instalment of the funds was deposited into the Supreme Court\u2019s account \u2014 to pay the hefty fine imposed by the apex court on Bahria Town \u2014 on November 29, 2019. Approval for the deed was sought from the federal cabinet later, on December 3, 2019. Mr Pervaiz argued the cabinet was not informed that the first instalment had already reached Pakistan. The deed was dispatched to the NCA before receiving cabinet approval, raising questions about procedural violations. The accountability watchdog highlighted breaches of the Rules of Business 1973, arguing that any matter must be circulated seven days in advance before being tabled in the cabinet. \u201cWhat was the urgency that the matter was not circulated in time?\u201d questioned the NAB counsel. The recovered money was transferred into the Supreme Court\u2019s account instead of the federal government\u2019s, which was \u201cimproper\u201d. The NAB lawyer emphasised that no law prevents the deed between the NCA and Assets Recovery Unit (ARU) \u2014 set up by former PM Khan to bring looted money from foreign countries back to Pakistan \u2014 from being made public. Under the NAB law, any donation or grant received by a public officeholder becomes government property. The anti-corruption watchdog alleged Mr Riaz\u2019s son transferred 240 kanals of land to Farah Shahzadi, a close friend of Ms Bushra, while Zulfi Bukhari, an aide of Mr Khan, received land under a trust, which, NAB argued, did not exist at the time of money transfer. The prosecution further alleged that a trust was created only after the adjustment of the 190 million pou\u00adnds, raising doubts about its legitimacy and purpose. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) asked the Adiala Jail authorities why Mr Khan was not allowed to attend its proceedings through video link. The commission has booked Mr Khan over alleged contempt and asked the prison authorities to present him in the proceedings. During the hearing on Tuesday, Mr Khan\u2019s lawyer, Faisal Chaudhry, said the jail authorities\u2019 non-cooperation constituted contempt of the ECP. The electoral body had initiated proceedings against Mr Khan in August 2022 over alleged contempt of ECP and the chief election commissioner during media talks and interviews. Mr Chaudhry said that at the previous hearing, the commission had ordered the PTI founder to appear through video link. At this point, the head of the three-member ECP bench, Nisar Ahmed Durrani, inquired whether arran\u00adgements were made for Mr Khan\u2019s virtual appearance. In response, ECP officials said arrangements were in place from their side. However, the video link has not been activated from the jail despite the fact that their staff was deputed for this purpose. Mr Chaudhry said his client would not be allowed to appear virtually as there was an \u201cunannounced ban\u201d on displaying his picture or airing statements. If jail authorities do not allow Mr Khan\u2019s virtual appearance, he should be summoned in person, Mr Chaudhry argued. The ECP lawyer expressed the possibility of a technical problem and said the non-appearance \u201cdoes not seem deliberate\u201d. He added that evidence cannot be recorded in the absence of the accused. Later, the ECP sought a response from jail authorities and adjourned the hearing till January 15.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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