IHC approves Imran Khan's bail in £190m reference case

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) approved on Wednesday the bail application of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in the 190-million-pound case and ordered his release from prison, Aaj News reported.

The two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri reserved judgment on Tuesday regarding the bail plea of PTI founder Imran Khan in the 190 million pound case.

NAB prosecutor tells IHC: 190m pounds came from UK in three instalments

It is important to note that Imran Khan is currently facing several court cases related to last year’s May 9 riot. It is unlikely that he will be released from jail following the IHC verdict in the £190 million reference case.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor informed the IHC on Tuesday that UK pound 190 million came from the United Kingdom in three installments.

The NAB prosecutor had requested the court to defer the hearing given the strike called by the legal fraternity across the country. However, the chief justice rejected the request of the NAB prosecutor to postpone the hearing.

Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi indicted in £190m NAB reference

In February, PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were indicted in a £190-million graft reference filed by the NAB.

The indictment came during the hearing held in Adiala Jail accountability court. Both the accused, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, denied the charges leveled against them.

Background

NAB launched an inquiry into the Al-Qadir University Trust case - now called the £190 million reference - in March 2023, before turning it into an investigation on April 28.

According to NAB, Imran and his wife obtained billions of rupees and land measuring hundreds of kanals from Malik Riaz of Bahria Town in return for Rs 50 billion that was paid as a settlement with the National Crime Agency (NCA) of the UK and the same was adjusted in lieu of a fine imposed on him by the Supreme Court.

In May last year, a heavy contingent of Rangers arrested the PTI chief in the case at the IHC premises where he was seeking bail in multiple FIRs registered against him.

Later, the IHC declared Imran’s arrest on the court’s premises “legal”.

Toshakhana case: IHC suspends Imran, Bushra Bibi’s sentence

Imran continues to receive relief from courts

Imran Khan, the founder of the PTI, continues to receive legal relief in various cases pertaining to corruption.

Last month, the IHC suspended the 14-year sentence handed out to former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana reference.

In January this year, accountability court Judge Muhammad Bashir sentenced the duo to 14 years in jail with rigorous punishment in the Toshakhana case.

The accountability court also disqualified Imran for 10 years while handing a fine of Rs787 million each.