Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ata Tarar on Friday called the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case “the largest corruption scandal in Pakistan’s history,” emphasizing that the court’s ruling is a significant step toward justice.
Tarar described the case as straightforward and the verdict as a “triumph of justice.” He criticized PTI leadership, accusing Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, of misusing the recovered funds by returning them to the individual from whom they were taken.
He also questioned the transparency of the matter, highlighting the alleged secrecy surrounding the federal cabinet’s decision. “If there was nothing to hide, why was the matter presented in a sealed envelope?” Tarar asked.
Support for Political Dialogue While condemning PTI’s alleged corruption, Tarar expressed his support for continued political negotiations, stressing the need for stability and constructive dialogue. Regarding PTI’s call for a judicial commission, he dismissed it as unnecessary. “Judicial commissions are for unresolved matters. PTI’s demand is unjustified,” he remarked.
Court Verdict Earlier, an Accountability Court sentenced Imran Khan to 14 years in prison and his wife Bushra Bibi to seven years in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case. Judge Nasir Javed Rana announced the decision at Adiala Jail, where the accused were present.
The court also imposed fines of Rs1 million on Imran Khan and Rs500,000 on Bushra Bibi, with additional imprisonment if the fines are not paid. The court further ordered the seizure of Al-Qadir University.
The ruling has escalated political tensions, with government officials celebrating it as a victory for accountability, while opposition figures question its fairness.
