Al-Qadir verdict

The verdict in the Al-Qadir Trust case is here – and, regardless of what the PTI and its leaders may say, has dealt a significant blow to the political legacy of Imran Khan. The verdict also comes a day after a rather smug party had announced its meeting with the COAS. Convicted of “corrupt practices” and “misuse of authority" by an accountability court, Imran Khan faces a 14-year sentence, while his wife Bushra Bibi has been sentenced to seven years for her “involvement in illegal activities". The case, often referred to as the 190 million pound case, revolves around the alleged misuse of Rs50 billion sent by Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to the Pakistani government in 2019 during Imran’s tenure as prime minister. Predictably, the government has hailed the verdict as a milestone in the fight against corruption, while the PTI has vowed to challenge the decision in higher courts. The timing and conduct of the trial merit attention. Unlike last year’s rushed convictions in the cipher, Toshakhana and Iddat cases – which many legal experts had criticised for bypassing due process – the Al-Qadir case followed a more measured pace. However, the true test lies ahead as the case proceeds to the superior courts. Will the detailed judgment withstand legal scrutiny, or will it unravel under the weight of higher judicial review?

Politically, the conviction has raised eyebrows and triggered debates. The conviction of Bushra Bibi dispels speculation about a potential deal to shield her from legal repercussions. Observers suggest that her release earlier may have been a goodwill gesture that failed to materialise into a broader political agreement, especially following her alleged involvement in the November 24 protests. And then there was the PTI’s attempt to spin a meeting between army officials and party representatives as a sign of direct negotiations with the establishment. Military sources had categorically denied the political nature of the meeting, emphasising its focus on security matters. For a party that once built its narrative on combating corruption, this verdict is a bitter irony. The alleged quid pro quo between Imran Khan and the parties involved is a glaring misuse of authority, a betrayal of the very principles the PTI claimed to uphold.

Amidst all this, we still have the dialogue between the government and PTI. Reports indicate that despite the court’s decision, the two sides have held a third round of talks, with the PTI presenting written demands to the government. This willingness to engage in dialogue is encouraging. Broader consensus among political actors is crucial for strengthening democracy and ensuring stability. Essentially, the Al-Qadir verdict will obviously not end here and we will hear more on this but for now it is safe to say that we need accountability processes to continue consistently while ensuring there is no selective accountability. For the political leadership, the lesson is clear: governance must be anchored in transparency and integrity. For the judiciary, the challenge is to uphold impartiality and due process. At the end of it all, dialogue and accountability must guide the way forward.