Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has slammed leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for shirking accountability, claiming they failed to appear in court despite a waiting judge.
Reacting to comments by PTI leader Barrister Saif, Bukhari stated that the judge waited for two hours but the accused never arrived in court, Express News reported.
She emphasized that corruption is not only about illegally sending money abroad; money from money laundering entering the country is considered “halal” corruption.
Bokhari also accused PTI leaders of using charities, such as Shaukat Khanum and Al-Qadir Trust, to carry out financial transactions for personal gain. “Certified liars and corrupt individuals cannot please the nation,” she added, further condemning the actions of those who have consistently accused their political rivals of corruption while now shirking their own responsibility.
She concluded by stating that those who have always criticized others as thieves and robbers are now running from justice and they cannot escape responsibility forever.
Also, Pakistan’s PTI chairman Barrister Gohar earlier today dismissed speculation that the delay in the verdict for party founder Imran Khan was due to a deal.
Speaking to the media outside the Adiala Jail, Barrister Gohar clarified that the decision had been deferred by the judge at his discretion, not due to any negotiations or political agreement, Express News reported.
“We were waiting here today in Adiala, but the court staff informed us that the decision would now be announced on January 17,” lawyer Gohar said.
He added that the attitude of the courts has been inappropriate and the cases against Imran Khan were fabricated to put pressure on the PTI founder.
Barrister Gohar further stated that all rumors of a deal were unfounded.
He noted that PTI’s legal team had heard reports of talks set for January 15, but insisted that these were not related to the ongoing case.
“There is no connection between the negotiations and an agreement,” he stressed.
Salman Akram Raja, another senior PTI lawyer, echoed Barrister Gohar’s statement and clarified that the delay was not part of a political deal.
He emphasized that the negotiations discussed in the media should not be seen as part of any agreement on the matter.
Barrister Gohar also pointed out that since Imran Khan is currently in jail, it is the responsibility of the jail authorities to bring him to court for hearings.
He expressed lack of confidence in the trial courts but said the PTI would continue to seek justice through higher courts.
“We have no expectations from these courts but we hope for justice in higher courts and we will take this case before them,” he concluded.
Earlier today, the Accountability Court in Rawalpindi postponed the publication of its judgment for the third time in the £190 million case involving former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi.
Judge Nasir Javed Rana said the judgment had been postponed due to the absence of the accused and their legal representatives, Express News reported.
He stated that although he arrived at court at 8.30 and issued two summons to Imran Khan, then both Khan and Bushra Bibi failed to appear.
The National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) prosecution team along with the media and court staff were present in the courtroom, but no one from the defense was present.
Due to the absence of both the accused and their lawyers, the judge decided to postpone the sentence. The verdict will now fall on January 17.
Sentencing was originally set for December 23, 2024, but the court delayed it and posted it to January 6. The new date for the decision is now set for 13 January. The trial with the reference of £190 million was concluded within a year. This is the only case involving Imran Khan that has taken a year to conclude.
On 13 November 2023 NAB (National Accountability Bureau) arrested Imran Khan. The court formally charged Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi on 27 February 2024. During the trial, statements of a total of 35 witnesses were recorded in the reference.
