Non-bailable arrest warrants were issued for influential property tycoon Malik Riaz, former special assistants to the premier Mirza Shahzad Akbar and Zulfi Bukhari, and three others in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust case.
Warrants for Farhat Shahzadi, a close associate of the spouse of ex-premier Imran Khan, lawyer Ziaul Mustafa Nasim, and Riaz’s son Ali Ahmed Riaz were also issued.
The Accountability Court Islamabad issued the warrants after the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) filed a reference against Imran Khan and seven others, including his wife Bushra Bibi, related to the Al-Qadir Trust case.
The allegations suggest that Imran and Bushra Bibi acquired substantial funds and land from Bahria Town Ltd to legitimize Rs50 billion, which the UK had identified and returned to Pakistan during the previous PTI government.
As per the NAB reference, Imran, presently in custody, played a “central role in the unauthorized transfer of funds meant for the state of Pakistan into an account designated for the payment of land by Bahria Town, Karachi.” Despite numerous opportunities, the accused deliberately refused to furnish information, according to the reference.
Today, Islamabad Accountability Judge Muhammad Bashir issued a written order, acknowledging Imran’s existing judicial confinement and directing his production at the next hearing on December 6. Bushra Bibi, who secured interim bail, was instructed to attend the next hearing. The judge ordered non-bailable arrest warrants for the remaining six suspects, indicating they were “at large.”
Trial proceedings will be conducted at Adiala jail or any other location where the accused are confined, following a notification from the law ministry on November 14. The reference contends that the accused violated the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO), engaging in corruption and corrupt practices in collusion with each other.
Imran played a “central role” in the illicit fund transfer, while Akbar played a “vital role” in the “unlawful design of the funds.” Malik actively facilitated the diversion of funds earmarked for the state. Bushra Bibi and Shahzadi played “significant” and “crucial” roles in the illicit activities, with the latter acting as a “front woman” for Imran and his wife.
