The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has scheduled a hearing for April 30 to consider the appeals filed by former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, challenging their conviction in the high-profile £190 million corruption reference. A division bench, led by Chief Justice Sardar Sarfaraz Dogar and including Justice Muhammad Asif, will preside over the proceedings.
Background of the Conviction
Khan and Bibi were sentenced in January 2025 by Accountability Court Judge Nasir Javed Rana. The former premier received a 14-year prison term, while his spouse was handed a seven-year sentence. The case, widely known as the Al-Qadir Trust case, has been a central point of legal and political contention in Pakistan.
Separate Banking Court Hearing
In a related development, a banking court in Islamabad has also fixed the hearing of a prohibited funding case against Imran Khan for the same day, Thursday. Authorities have submitted a charge sheet naming the former prime minister as the primary accused in that matter.
Details of the Al-Qadir Trust Case
The £190 million case revolves around allegations that Khan and others in 2019 misappropriated approximately Rs50 billion—equivalent to £190 million at the time—which was remitted to the Pakistani government by Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA). The funds were linked to assets seized from a property tycoon during Khan’s tenure. The NCA had stated that the settlement was a civil matter and did not imply guilt.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) filed a reference in December 2023, followed by formal charges against Khan and Bibi in February 2024. The prosecution alleges that the settlement was approved by Khan without disclosing the confidential agreement’s details.
Legal and Political Context
Imran Khan has been incarcerated since August 2023, facing a multitude of cases ranging from corruption to terrorism. His legal troubles began after his ouster from power in April 2022 through a no-confidence motion. The upcoming IHC hearing is seen as a critical juncture in his legal battles.
Earlier in March, the court imposed a fine of Rs100,000 on NAB’s special prosecutor for employing delaying tactics in the proceedings, highlighting the contentious nature of the case.
