Accountability Court Concludes £190M Corruption Case Trial
News Desk
Islamabad: The Islamabad Accountability Court has wrapped up the trial in the £190 million corruption case involving Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and Bushra Bibi.
This high-profile case, completed within a year, centered on allegations of bribery and misuse of funds meant for the state of Pakistan. The case dates back to December 2019, when £190 million recovered by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) was secretly deposited into Malik Riaz’s fine account instead of the state treasury.
NAB alleged that during his tenure as Prime Minister, the PTI founder facilitated this transaction in exchange for bribes, including 458 kanals of land and significant donations for the Al-Qadir Trust.
NAB filed its reference on December 1, 2023, naming eight accused, including the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi. However, only two of the accused stood trial, while the other six, including Malik Riaz, were declared fugitives.
The trial involved 35 prosecution witnesses, including prominent figures like former federal ministers Pervez Khattak and Zubaida Jalal, and former Principal Secretary Azam Khan.
The process faced delays and changes in presiding judges, adding to its complexity.
The PTI founder and Bushra Bibi were formally indicted on February 27, 2024. After 38 hearings of cross-examinations, the defense chose not to present witnesses but requested 16 court witnesses, a plea that was denied.
Bushra Bibi faced arrest warrants for non-appearance but later complied with court orders. Permanent arrest warrants remain in effect for fugitives, including Shahzad Akbar, Zulfi Bukhari, and Malik Riaz.
On December 18, 2024, the defense concluded its arguments during a six-hour session at Adiala Jail, expressing confidence in Judge Nasir Javed Rana’s impartiality. The verdict has now been reserved.
If convicted, the accused could face up to 14 years in prison. The outcome of the case is expected to have significant implications for Pakistan’s political and judicial landscape.
