ISLAMABAD: Jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed frustration over the repeated delays in the verdict for the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case, calling it a tactic to pressure him politically.
During a media interaction at Adiala Jail, Khan alleged, “The decision regarding the Al-Qadir Trust is being stalled merely to apply pressure on me, as was done in earlier cases.” His remarks were shared via a statement on social media.
Khan urged for an “immediate resolution” to the case, warning that further delays could damage the judiciary’s credibility, as he claimed had happened in the iddat and cipher cases. He also described the charges against him as “bogus” and without merit.
This is the third postponement of the verdict in the case. Initially, the Accountability Court reserved its decision on December 18 after the defence concluded its arguments, with the verdict scheduled for December 23. However, Judge Nasir Javed Rana postponed the announcement to January 6, citing a winter break from December 24 to January 1. Now, court sources confirm the decision has been delayed again, with January 13 set as the new date due to Judge Rana’s leave.
The case involves Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and allegations related to the misappropriation of £190 million. Critics on social media have linked the latest delay to ongoing negotiations between the government and Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
Court staff have reportedly informed both the NAB prosecutor, Sohail Arif, and PTI’s lawyer, Khalid Yousaf, of the postponement. The repeated delays have sparked public speculation and criticism, further fueling tensions around the high-profile case.
