'Ridiculous': Imran Khan breaks silence on Al-Qadir verdict delays

The official page of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has reacted to the third deferment of the Al Qadir Trust case against him and former First Lady Bushra Bibi.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, the official page of incarcerated Khan stated that the verdict for the Al Qadir Trust case could have been announced without his presence. He noted, “Delaying the decision under the pretence of my absence is utterly ridiculous and makes a mockery of the judicial system.”

“In two previous cases, judges Abul Hasanat and Muhammad Bashir announced verdicts in my absence,” it read.

The accountability court deferred the case on Monday, citing Khan and Bibi's failure to appear before the court on time, marking the third delay in the verdict.

Judge Nasir Javed Rana said he had been present in the court since 8:30 am; however, “neither the suspects nor their lawyers appeared […] the decision was fully ready and signed.”

Rana claimed that the PTI founder had been informed twice to appear before the court.

The post, however, rebutted the claims by saying, “The trial for the Al-Qadir Trust case always begins between 11:30 am and 12:00. Yesterday, the hearing was scheduled for 11:00 am, but even before my lawyers arrived, I was informed around 9:00 am that the judge had already arrived.”

It has also been asserted that Khan's movements have been restricted to jail, and it is his legal right to appear in court alongside lawyers.

Previously, the decision was postponed twice, on December 23, 2024, and January 6, 2025, and the decision will now be announced on January 17 (Friday).

The case alleges that Khan and Bushra Bibi obtained billions of rupees and land worth hundreds of canals from Bahria Town Ltd. to legalise Rs50 billion that the United Kingdom National Crime Agency (NCA) identified and returned to the country during the PTI government.

Khan's official page posted, “The Al-Qadir Trust has no connection to this money; the trust was established a year before the arrival of these funds.”

The post dismissed the claims of accepting any deal with the government and establishment, saying, “Let me make it clear that I will not make any deals, no matter what tactics are used.”

Khan described the country's economy as being in "dire" condition and stated that he believes foreign investment is currently at a historic low.

“The SIFC and Udaan programs have failed miserably. With no growth in the growth rate, unemployment is rising in the country. Brilliant minds and capital are leaving the country rapidly because no one has faith in the country's stability,” he added.