“Imran Khan sentenced for his love for Holy Prophet (PBUH):” PTI

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) issued a statement in response to the conviction of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the Al-Qadir Trust case.

PTI maintained that Imran Khan was sentenced for establishing a university that honored the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

"History will remember that the greatest leader of this country was first unjustly sentenced for his love for the nation, and now, he is sentenced for his love for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)," PTI stated on X.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has been sentenced to 14 years in prison in the £190 million case, according to a ruling by the Accountability Court on Friday. 

Accountability Court Judge Nasir Javed Rana announced the verdict and sentenced former prime minister's wife, Bushra Bibi to seven years and fined Rs500,000, while Imran Khan faces a fine of Rs1 million.

The National Accountability Bureau court on Monday deferred the announcement of the reserved verdict in the £190 million case involving former Prime Minister Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and six others.

The verdict was initially scheduled to be announced on December 23 but was postponed to January 6 due to winter vacations. However, on January 6, the decision could not be pronounced as Judge Nasir Javed Rana was on leave.

The conclusion of the case was expected to be pronounced on January 13, but it could not be materialised as Judge Nasir Javed Rana left the Adiala Jail and the hearing adjourned until January 17.

It is important to note that the trial has taken a year to complete. During this period, NAB gathered statements from at least 35 witnesses.

Former Principal Secretary Azam Khan, former Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, and former Federal Minister Zubaida Jalal were key witnesses in the £190 million reference, and their statements were recorded by the prosecutor.

Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were indicted in the £190 million reference on February 27 last year.

In December 2023, NAB filed a corruption reference against Imran Khan and seven others, including his wife, in connection with Al-Qadir University.

NAB alleged that Imran and Bushra Bibi obtained billions of rupees and land worth hundreds of kanals from Bahria Town Ltd in exchange for legalising a project worth Rs50 billion, which was identified and returned to Pakistan by the UK during the PTI government.