During the hearing of the £190 million reference case against former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi at Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi on Wednesday, the statement of former Defense Minister Pervez Khattak was recorded.
The cross-examination of Abbas Goraya, the patwari (revenue official) of Bani Gala, Islamabad, was also completed.
The hearing, conducted by Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Ali Warraich, saw the production of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi from jail to the courtroom. However, former Minister Zubeida Jalal and former Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Azam Khan did not appear in court.
Lawyers Usman Riaz Gul and Chaudhry Zahir Abbas represented the accused, while Amjad Pervez and Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi, along with their legal team, represented NAB.
During Khattak’s statement, Imran Khan approached the rostrum, smiling throughout. Khattak stated that NAB recorded his statement in May 2023 regarding the £190 million case. He mentioned that Shahzad Akbar, former Advisor on Accountability, informed the cabinet about a large sum of money, illegally sent abroad by a Pakistani, that had been seized in the UK. Akbar assured that the seized amount would be returned to Pakistan.
Khattak added that this matter was not initially on the cabinet’s agenda and was introduced as an additional item. He, along with other cabinet members, objected to this. Documents related to the amount were presented in sealed envelopes, and the additional agenda item was approved by the cabinet.
He also mentioned that the investigating officer informed him about a written note accompanying the agenda, which stated that the money was transferred to the UK by Malik Riaz, the owner of Bahria Town.
During Khattak’s statement, Imran Khan commented that Nawaz Sharif’s flats should also be returned to Pakistan. Khattak’s statement lasted 15 minutes before he left. The cross-examination of Abbas Goraya was completed as well.
So far, 31 witnesses’ statements have been recorded in the reference, with cross-examinations of 30 witnesses completed.
In today’s hearing, after recording Khattak’s statement, the hearing of the £190 million reference was adjourned until July 13.
The Accountability Court in Pakistan has summoned four individuals as witnesses in the high-profile case: former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Azam Khan, former Defense Minister Pervez Khattak, Zubeida Jalal, and Patwari Gohar Abbas. The court concluded the testimonies of 30 witnesses and adjourned further proceedings until July 10.
