Pakistan's Anti-Corruption Court Issues Warrants Against Imran Khan

The anti-corruption court in Pakistan on Monday issued arrest warrant against former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in two cases. The cases are linked with the Al-Qadir trust and the Toshakhana gifts. As per the request of the National Accountability Court (NAB), the anti-corruption watchdog, Islamabad-based accountability court judge Muhammad Bashir issued the warrants.

The Toshkhana reference case was filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan for hiding the proceeds of sale from the gifts he received from the Toshakhana. This has led to disqualifying of Imran Khan from holding public officer for five years. While, the Ali-Qadir trust case is about the settlement of 190 million pounds, about Rs 50 billion, which the UK”s National Crime Agency sent to Pakistan after recovering the amount from a Pakistani property tycoon. And this case under the investigation by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), involves accusation of corruption and abuse of authority.

Imran Khan, then Prime Minister instead of depositing it in the national kitty, allowed the businessman to use the amount partly to settle the fine of about Rs 450 billion imposed by the Supreme Court some years ago. The tycoon in return gifted the then prime minister about 57 acres of land to a trust set up by Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to establish the Al-Qadir University in Sohawa area of Jhelum district of Punjab.

The latest arrest warrant was issued in the case filed by the NAB, which approached the court to issue the arrest warrants against Khan because he was needed to complete the investigation in the two cases. The warrants are expected to be compiled with in jail today. Imran Khan will be provided with a copy of the warrant as well as briefed about reasons for his arrest.

Khan”s wife Bushra Bibi appeared before NAB in Islamabad in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust case probe. After questioning her, the NAB gave her a questionnaire containing 11 questions. While on November 3, Imran Khan has approached the apex court seeking the post-bail in the cypher case, reports The News International. In his 18-page bail plea, he challenged the Islamabad High Court”s verdict against the proceedings of the cypher case against him, dismissing his petitions and allowing interrogation. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief is seeking for a post-arrest bail from the Supreme Court.