ISLAMABAD: On Monday, an Islamabad accountability court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for property tycoon Malik Riaz, former special assistants to the premier Mirza Shahzad Akbar and Zulfi Bukhari, and three others in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust case.
Farhat Shahzadi, a close friend of the spouse of ex-premier Imran Khan, lawyer Ziaul Mustafa Nasim, and Riaz’s son Ali Ahmed Riaz also faced similar warrants. Last week, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) filed a reference against Imran and seven others, including his wife Bushra Bibi, related to the Al-Qadir Trust case.
The case alleges that Imran and Bushra Bibi obtained billions of rupees and land from Bahria Town Ltd for legalizing Rs50 billion returned to the country by the UK during the previous PTI government.
The NAB reference claims that Imran, currently in jail, played a pivotal role in the illicit transfer of funds meant for the state into an account designated for the payment of land by Bahria Town, Karachi. Despite multiple opportunities, the accused deliberately refused to provide information, according to the reference.
In a written order issued today, Islamabad Accountability Judge Muhammad Bashir noted that Imran was already in judicial lockup for another case—the cipher case. The judge directed a notice to be issued to the Adiala jail superintendent to produce Imran at the next hearing on December 6.
Meanwhile, Bushra Bibi, who secured interim bail, was instructed to appear at the next hearing. The judge ordered non-bailable arrest warrants for the other six suspects, described as “at large,” and mandated reports to be submitted at the next date without fail.
The order specified that trial proceedings in the reference would be conducted at Adiala jail or wherever the nominated individuals in the case were confined, as per a November 14 notification from the law ministry.
The reference stated that the accused were given multiple opportunities to provide information but deliberately refused, indicating a malafide intention. The reference alleged that the accused, in connivance, committed corruption and corrupt practices as defined under the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO).
It further stated that Imran played a pivotal role in the illicit fund transfer benefiting Riaz, while Akbar played a crucial role in the illegal design of funds. Malik actively aided, abetted, and conspired for the diversion of funds earmarked for the state.
Bushra Bibi and Shahzadi played significant and crucial roles in the illegal activities, with Shahzadi acting as a frontwoman for Imran and his wife. The reference pleaded for the eight suspects to be tried and punished in accordance with the law by the court or any other entrusted with the reference.
