Pakistan's Imran Khan, Wife Bushra Bibi Convicted In al-Qadir Trust Case - What's The Matter All About

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 14 years and 7 years of prison, respectively, on Friday in a case regarding the misuse of authority and corruption involving Khan's Al-Qadir University Project Trust.

The former Prime Minister of Pakistan was also given a fine of 1 million Pakistani rupees or $3,500 while his wife Bibi was fined half of that amount.

This is the fourth time that Imran Khan has been convicted in a major case.

His three earlier convictions, that were announced in January last year were all related to selling state gifts, leaking state secrets as well as unlawful marriage. They were all overturned or suspended.

Apart from this, there are still dozens of cases pending against Khan.

What Is The Al-Qadir Trust Case All About?

Imran Khan was first arrested in connection with this case in May 2023 and at the time he had spent less than two days in detention. This led to nationwide protests as Khan's supporters rioted in multiple cities.

According to an Al Jazeera report, Faisal Fareed Chaudhry, Khan's lawyer, condemned the decision as a continuation of "bogus persecution" against and his wife.

"It is perhaps the only case where the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) couldn't establish a loss of even a single penny," the lawyer was cited by Al Jazeera.

NAB failed to provide evidence of any financial loss to the state or any connection between the Trust and personal financial gain for Imran Khan or his family, Chaudhry added.

“Criminal proceedings against Khan and Bushra Bibi were not proven during prosecution. The entire case is politically motivated. I fail to understand how establishing a trust constitutes a conflict of interest,” the lawyer said.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) also echoed Chaudhry in its first statement.

“While the party awaits the detailed decision, it is important to note that the Al Qadir Trust case against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi lacks any solid foundation and is bound to collapse,” the PTI said. “All evidence and witness testimonies confirm that there has been no mismanagement or wrongdoing. Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are merely trustees with no further involvement in the matter.”

According to the NAB, Khan, as Prime Minister from August 2018 to April 2022, made a quid pro quo deal with Riaz, enabling him to launder more than $239 million. This caused significant losses to the national treasury.

the PTI government has given legal cover to Riaz's black money, which had been recovered by the United Kingdom's National Crime Agency and handed over to the Pakistani government, as per the NAB.

The former PM was ousted from power in April 202 via a parliamentary vote of no confidence, which he attributes to a conspiracy around the country's military and the United States, allegations both have denied.

Additionally, the Pakistani military has held significant political influence, ruling the nation directly for almost three decades since its formation in 1947, and was once seen as Khan's benefactor and architect of his rise to power, before the two fell out.

Background

The verdict against former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife with ongoing negotiations with PTI and the current Pakistani government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on several issues, including Khan's release.

The case also involved exhaustive proceedings with more than 100 hearings in the past.

According to an Islamabad-based lawyer Hafiz Ahsaan Khokhar, "the core issue is money laundering, and NAB provisions are explicit regarding dishonesty and misuse of authority by public office holders. Additionally, both the Supreme Court and the federal cabinet were misled, and state money was unlawfully redirected for personal gain."