Breaking News: Imran Khan Granted Bail in Landmark Corruption Case - Inside the Legal Battle Unfolding!
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has granted bail to Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in a corruption case involving £190 million. The decision came after a two-member bench, headed by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, reserved its verdict following the conclusion of arguments from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecution team and Imran's counsel, Sardar Latif Khan Khosa.Despite the bail approval with a bail bond set at Rs1 million, Imran Khan remains incarcerated due to his ongoing sentences in the cipher and the iddat cases. However, the sentences in two separate Toshakhana cases were suspended by the IHC.
During the court proceedings, NAB Special Prosecutor Amjad Pervaiz revealed that the trial involving Imran Khan and his spouse was nearing its conclusion. Pervaiz informed the court that out of 59 prosecution witnesses, 30 had already testified, and the remaining witnesses would further reduce. He referred to a Supreme Court judgment where bail petitions were rejected in similar situations.
The court's order emphasized that the investigation was complete and continuing to detain Imran Khan would serve no purpose. Despite concerns from the prosecution about potential tampering with evidence or influence due to Imran's political status, the court found no justification for such apprehensions. The court allowed Imran's bail, with observations stated to not prejudice the trial court's decision regarding the corruption reference against him.
Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were indicted in February by a Rawalpindi accountability court in connection with the case. The corruption reference, filed by NAB in December, alleges that Imran and Bushra Bibi obtained billions of rupees and land from Bahria Town Ltd to legalize Rs50 billion identified and returned to Pakistan from the UK during the previous PTI government.
The reference accuses Imran of playing a significant role in the illicit transfer of funds intended for Pakistan's benefit into an account designated for land payment by Bahria Town, Karachi. Additionally, it alleges that Imran and others deliberately withheld information despite multiple opportunities, indicating malicious intent.
Property tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain, his son Ahmed Ali Riaz, and other suspects like Mirza Shehzad Akbar and Zulfi Bukhari are also implicated in the reference. However, they absconded from joining the investigation and were declared proclaimed offenders. Subsequently, their properties were frozen.
The court proceedings have seen various delays in the indictment of Imran and Bushra Bibi, with multiple rescheduling. The reference maintains that the accused, through their actions, have committed offenses under the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO), involving corruption and corrupt practices.
The prosecution has requested the court to proceed against the suspects based on the substantial incriminating evidence presented during the investigation. It seeks appropriate legal action against them in accordance with the law.
The reference against Imran Khan and the other suspects alleges a deliberate refusal to provide necessary information despite multiple opportunities, indicating a clear intention to obstruct the course of justice. It further asserts that the investigation proceedings have uncovered substantial evidence demonstrating collusion among the accused to commit corruption and corrupt practices as defined under the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO).
Imran Khan's purported pivotal role in the illicit transfer of funds, along with the alleged active assistance of other respondents such as Malik Riaz Hussain and Mirza Shehzad Akbar, is highlighted in the reference. Additionally, the involvement of Bushra Bibi and Farhat Shahzadi, described as a "front woman" for Imran Khan and his wife, is underscored as well.
Despite legal proceedings and the issuance of arrest warrants, some of the suspects, including Malik Riaz Hussain and his son, chose to evade authorities and were consequently declared proclaimed offenders. As a result, their assets were frozen as part of the legal process.
The delays in the indictment of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi have caused procedural setbacks, with scheduled court appearances being deferred multiple times. However, the reference maintains that there is substantial incriminating evidence to justify proceeding against the accused.
In light of the bail granted to Imran Khan by the Islamabad High Court, the legal proceedings will continue as the trial court adjudicates the corruption reference against him and the other suspects. The court's observations regarding the bail approval are stated to have no bearing on the trial court's decision-making process, ensuring a fair and impartial adjudication of the case.
