News Desk

The Islamabad Accountability Court is set to announce its verdict today in the case involving PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi. The court had previously scheduled the decision for three different dates, but it was postponed each time. Judge Nasir Javed Rana, who had completed the trial and reserved the decision on December 18, initially set December 23 for the verdict, but the hearing was delayed until January 6 due to the judge’s leave. The decision was again postponed on January 13 due to the absence of the accused.

The trial, which has lasted almost a year, saw the replacement of three judges. During the proceedings, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) recorded statements from 35 witnesses. The charges were formally brought against the accused on February 27, 2024, and defense attorneys cross-examined key witnesses, including former Federal Minister Zubaida Jalal, former Principal Secretary Azam Khan, and former Defense Minister Pervez Khattak. The cross-examination of the investigating officer was completed after 38 hearings. The accused were given 15 opportunities to make their statements under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code, but they did not present any witnesses in their defense. A request by the accused to summon 16 witnesses as court witnesses was rejected.

The case revolves around allegations that during PTI’s tenure, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi received billions of rupees and hundreds of acres of land from a private housing society in exchange for legalizing £50 million sent by the UK’s National Crime Agency to the Pakistani government.

The Islamabad Accountability Court is now set to deliver its long-awaited verdict, which could determine whether the accused will face punishment or be acquitted.