RAWALPINDI: An accountability court encountered a significant setback as it failed to proceed with the recording of witness testimonies in the £190 million NCA scandal case involving Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s spouse, Bushra Bibi. The proceedings were disrupted after Bushra Bibi expressed a lack of confidence in the judge overseeing the case.
At the outset of the hearing, Bushra Bibi openly conveyed her distrust towards the accountability court’s judge. Her dissatisfaction escalated as she complained about not being informed about a hearing scheduled for May 15 at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. She vocally expressed her grievances, stating that she felt unjustly imprisoned due to the “injustice” she perceived in the handling of the case.
Imran Khan, attempting to diffuse the tension, urged his spouse to join him in the family corner, but she opted to remain separate. Even when provided with a separate room to meet her daughters, Bushra Bibi chose not to engage with them initially.
Throughout the hearing, Imran Khan was observed interacting with his legal team, family members, and notably, his wife. However, despite efforts from the former premier and his legal representatives to persuade Bushra Bibi to retract her lack of confidence remarks, the proceedings were repeatedly halted.
In a significant turn of events, Imran Khan and his legal team ultimately implored the judge to reconsider the lack of confidence remarks. They also requested a 15-day adjournment for the next hearing, during which they submitted a plea in response to the court notices issued earlier.
Despite the extensive discussions, the accountability court adjourned the hearing until May 22 without proceeding with the testimony of any witnesses. Outside Adiala Jail, PTI lawyer Naeem Panjutha confirmed Bushra Bibi’s lack of confidence in the judge and highlighted Imran Khan’s request for medical tests at Shaukat Khanum Hospital, alleging fabrication of medical reports by PIMS doctors.
These developments come in the wake of the Islamabad High Court’s approval of Imran Khan’s bail petition in the £190 million NCA settlement reference, underscoring the ongoing legal intricacies surrounding the case.
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