The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has filed a corruption reference in an accountability court, seeking action against former Prime Minister Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and six others in a case related to a £190 million settlement and Al-Qadir Trust case.
The reference alleged misappropriation of funds and misuse of authority during the PTI government’s settlement with a UK-based property tycoon.
Deputy Prosecutor General Muzafar Abbasi and investigative officer Umar Nadeem filed the reference in an Islamabad accountability court.
The eight accused individuals included Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, and business tycoon and some PTI leaders. The filing follows the federal cabinet’s approval for a jail trial of Imran Khan in corruption cases.
The federal cabinet had okayed the jail trial of Imran Khan and others via a summary from the Ministry of Law and Justice. The trial is set to take place in Adiala jail due to concerns about the law and order situation.
The Ministry had already issued a notification on November 28, directing the accountability court to conduct the trial in Central Prison, Adiala.
Imran Khan faces corruption charges related to a settlement between the PTI government and a property tycoon, allegedly causing a £190 million loss to the national exchequer.
The accused are implicated in adjusting £190 million sent by the UK’s National Crime Agency to the Pakistani government. They are accused of receiving undue benefits, including land for Al Qadir University.
The National Crime Agency seized assets worth £190 million from the property tycoon in Britain during the PTI government. The settlement was deemed a civil matter by the agency, not representing guilt.
Imran Khan’s cabinet approved the settlement on December 3, 2019, without disclosing details. The money was intended to be submitted to the Supreme Court on behalf of the tycoon.
