£190m reference: IHC directs trial court to re-decide Imran, Bushra’s acquittal pleas

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday directed an accountability court to decide again the acquittal pleas of PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the 190 million pounds reference.

The court instructed the trial court to give a judgment on the acquittal petitions by mentioning the reasons and grounds. A two-judge bench comprising IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb announced the verdict on the petitions challenging the trial court verdict. The court questioned the defence lawyer whether they had the only stance that the acquittal pleas should be approved because personal benefit of accused was not proved. The bench asked why the acquittal pleas were filed at this stage.

The petitioners’ lawyer, Zaheer Abbas, argued that the cabinet decisions were protected under the NAB law until personal benefits of accused were proved.

The chief justice noted that the accountability court also didn’t give reasons for dismissal of acquittal pleas. He said the court was sending back the case to the trial court so that it re-decides the acquittal petitions.

The NAB prosecutor pointed out that the trial court had not given any verdict to the extent of Bushra Bibi’s acquittal. The defence lawyer said Bushra Bibi was never a public office-holder, adding that 35 prosecution witnesses said nothing about her.

The court said Bushra was Imran’s wife, so it was giving directions to the trial court regarding her as well.