The Accountability Court of Rawalpindi has rejected the acquittal plea of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Founder Imran Khan in the £190 million reference case.
The hearing took place at Adiala Jail, where Accountability Court Judge Nasir Javed Rana pronounced the much-awaited decision.
During the proceedings, the court instructed the defense lawyers to cross-examine the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) investigation officer in the next hearing, which is scheduled for tomorrow.
The case, which revolves around the misappropriation of £190 million, is a key part of the ongoing investigations against the PTI founder. The court's decision to reject the acquittal plea suggests that the legal battle will continue.
In addition, the bail application of Bushra Bibi, the PTI founder's wife, remains pending and has been attached to the main reference. Her bail application is expected to be decided alongside the case proceedings.
During the hearing, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were produced in court, while the last witness in the reference, investigating officer Mian Umar Nadeem, could not be cross-examined today.
Also Read: Imran Khan seeks relief in £190m case after SC verdict on NAB law
Imran Khan's lawyers gave arguments on the acquittal plea and said that after the NAB amendment decision by the Supreme Court, this case had no substance. Zaheer Abbas Chaudhary said cabinet decisions are protected in the light of NAB amendments, adding that Imran Khan did not receive any financial benefits directly.
The NAB prosecution team opposed the acquittal plea and the prosecutor said the former prime minister misguided his cabinet. He said the real facts about the £190 million were concealed from the cabinet.
After hearing the arguments of the parties concerned, the court rejected Imran Khan's acquittal petition and fixed the cross-examination of the last witness for tomorrow.
On September 7, the former prime minister had sought relief in the case following recent amendments to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) laws. A petition was submitted in response to the NAB reference, which pertains to allegations of financial misconduct.
Imran Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, had already submitted a separate application for acquittal related to the same reference. The PTI founder's legal representative argued that this petition should be considered alongside Bushra Bibi's application.
NAB lawyers contended that the court has jurisdiction over the case and that the reference should be heard in its entirety. They argued that the recent Supreme Court decision does not impact this case and that the defence should have first challenged the jurisdiction before considering acquittal.
