IHC overturns trial court orders about Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi in £190m case

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday declared null and void two orders issued earlier by the trial court rejecting acquittal pleas filed by former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the £190 million case.

In a nine-page verdict issued by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, directed the trial court to review the acquittal pleas on the merit of the case.

It said that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor had argued that the trial was in its final stages and maintained that, according to legal precedents, acquittal pleas at that point were inadmissible.

To Read Relevant: Imran Khan seeks relief in £190m case

On Wednesday, in a five-page order, Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand had rejected the acquittal pleas of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, citing multiple allegations, including the receipt of a “Bulgari jewelry set” by Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in 2021 from the Saudi Crown Prince.

According to the trial court verdict, the set, comprising a bracelet, ring, earrings, and necklace, was allegedly not deposited to the Toshakhana (state gift repository) as required by law.

Read this too: £190m case: Court grants final chance for cross-examination

The trial court order said that the jewelry’s value was assessed by private appraiser Sohaib Abbas and later verified by Customs officials. It alleged that undue influence was exerted to secure an undervalued appraisal, with claims that the private secretary to the accused pressured the appraiser.

The verdict said that under Toshakhana regulations amended in 2018, all gifts must be deposited, and their accurate valuation is mandatory.

“The Bulgari set was reportedly neither submitted to the Toshakhana nor valued correctly. Evidence presented by the prosecution suggests deliberate efforts to undervalue the items,” the verdict.

More to Read: Hearing of £190m case against Imran, Bushra adjourned until Tue

The trial court underscored that the prosecution’s evidence cannot be disregarded and that a fair trial necessitates providing the prosecution an opportunity to present all relevant facts. The defendants will also have the chance to cross-examine witnesses. The trial court affirmed that only after recording evidence can a fair verdict be reached.

It further highlighted that while a verdict has been reached in the first Toshakhana reference, the second case remains in its initial stages, with charges yet to be framed. Despite similarities between the cases, the allegations were distinct, the verdict said.

The trial court had rejected the acquittal pleas in light of the observations and allegations presented, stating that all evidence must undergo scrutiny before a conclusive decision is made.