court fixes September 13 to cross-examine investigating officer, who is the last witness of the reference
PTI founder Imran Khan (right) pictured along with his wife Bushra Bibi (centre) as he signs surety bonds for bail in various cases, at the registrar’s office in the Lahore High Court on July 17, 2023. — AFP
PTI founder Imran Khan (right) pictured along with his wife Bushra Bibi (centre) as he signs surety bonds for bail in various cases, at the registrar’s office in the Lahore High Court on July 17, 2023. On September 13, the court is set to cross-examine the investigating officer, who is the final witness in the case.
By Shabbir Dar | September 12, 2024
Imran Khan, the founder of PTI, alongside his wife Bushra Bibi, is seen signing surety bonds for bail at the registrar’s office of the Lahore High Court on July 17, 2023. — AFP
RAWALPINDI: On Thursday, an accountability court dismissed Imran Khan’s plea for acquittal in the £190 million case.
The ruling was issued during a hearing held at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, following arguments from all parties involved in the case. The court has scheduled September 13 (tomorrow) for the cross-examination of the investigating officer, the last witness in the proceedings.
On September 10, the accountability court postponed the hearing of the plea seeking acquittal of the former prime minister and his wife, Bushra Bibi, until today.
Previously, both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi attended a court hearing conducted by Judge Nasir Javed Rana at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.
Imran Khan, the founder of PTI, along with his wife Bushra Bibi, signed surety bonds for bail at the registrar’s office of the Lahore High Court on July 17, 2023. Following arguments from all parties involved, an accountability court dismissed Imran Khan’s plea for acquittal in the £190 million case during a hearing at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. The court has scheduled September 13 for the cross-examination of the investigating officer, who is the last witness in the proceedings. The accountability court had previously postponed the hearing of the plea seeking acquittal until today, after Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi attended a court hearing conducted by Judge Nasir Javed Rana at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. Previously, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were present at a court hearing led by Judge Nasir Javed Rana at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. They signed surety bonds for bail at the registrar’s office of the Lahore High Court on July 17, 2023. During the hearing at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, the court dismissed Imran Khan’s plea for acquittal in the £190 million case after considering arguments from all parties involved. The next hearing, scheduled for September 13, will involve the cross-examination of the investigating officer, who is the final witness in the ongoing proceedings. The accountability court had initially postponed the plea seeking acquittal until today, following Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi’s attendance at the court hearing led by Judge Nasir Javed Rana at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.
On September 7, Khan filed a plea for acquittal in the £190 million case following the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) amendments case. The court had accepted appeals against last year’s ruling, which had overturned amendments to the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO).
The couple faces accusations of causing significant financial loss to the national exchequer. Last week, the court reserved its decision on Bushra Bibi’s acquittal plea.
During a subsequent hearing, Khan and Bushra’s lawyers were unable to appear in court due to commitments at the Lahore High Court (LHC). As a result, the last witness in the case, Mian Umer Nadeem, who also serves as the investigating officer, could not be cross-examined.
hearing of the appeal for the former prime minister’s and his wife Bushra Bibi’s acquittal up to this point.
Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi had previously appeared in court at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where Judge Nasir Javed Rana presided.
On September 7, in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) modifications case, Khan entered a plea of not guilty in the £190 million case. The National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) modifications that were overturned by the court’s decision last year were the subject of accepted appeals.
The pair is accused of seriously undermining the national exchequer’s finances. The court postponed making a ruling on Bushra Bibi’s plea of acquittal last week.
The attorneys for Khan and Bushra were unable to show up in court during a later session because of obligations at the High Court of Lahore (LHC). This prevented Mian Umer Nadeem, the case’s final witness and the investigating officer, from being cross-examined.The accountability court has now placed significant importance on the upcoming cross-examination of the investigating officer, Mian Umer Nadeem, who is expected to provide critical insights as the final witness in the case. His testimony may play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the high-profile £190 million corruption reference against Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi.
Legal experts have been closely monitoring the proceedings, as the case could set a precedent for similar investigations involving top political figures. The former prime minister’s legal team is anticipated to build their defense around the Supreme Court’s recent decision regarding NAB amendments, aiming to establish that the charges should no longer stand in light of the revised accountability laws. However, the prosecution continues to emphasize the substantial financial losses allegedly incurred under Khan’s leadership.
As the trial moves forward, political tensions in Pakistan have heightened, with the opposition parties and PTI supporters watching the developments closely. The potential implications of the case extend beyond the legal realm, as they may influence the political landscape in the lead-up to future elections.
Meanwhile, security around Adiala Jail has been tightened, with a large presence of law enforcement officers expected on September 13 to ensure a smooth and secure process during the cross-examination. Imran Khan’s supporters, who have continued to rally for his release, are also expected to gather near the prison, further intensifying the atmosphere surrounding the case.
The outcome of the cross-examination will likely shape the court’s final decision regarding the acquittal pleas of both Khan and Bushra Bibi. With the testimony of the last witness soon to be on record, the case is edging toward a critical juncture.
