Current Final

Category: National

  • ‘US president saved Nawaz Sharif from getting death penalty’

    ‘US president saved Nawaz Sharif from getting death penalty’

    Author and ex-head of National Commission for Human Development Dr Naseem Ashraf has claimed that United States (US) President Bill Clinton saved former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif from death penalty during military ruler Pervez Mushrraf’s regime.

    In his upcoming book ‘Ring Side’, Dr Ashraf claimed that the US State Department had advised President Clinton against visiting Pakistan, however, he decided to visit nonetheless to prevent the execution of the ousted premier.

    On his short trip, the former US president held a secret meeting with then-chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) Irshad Hassan Khan for assurance that Nawaz would not be hanged, Dr Ashraf claimed in the book published in Urdu under the title ‘Maidan-e-Amal’.

    He revealed that Clinton was seen heading to the restroom during a luncheon hosted by Musharraf, and moments later, ex-CJP Irshad also went in. The meeting, he added, lasted for about five minutes during which President Clinton asked the then-CJP whether Nawaz would be sentenced to death.

    To this, Justice Hassan assured him that it would not happen, Dr Ashraf wrote.

    He said that Pakistanis living in the US were advocates of democracy and patriotic citizens who supported Pakistan during challenging times. This is why, Dr Ashraf wrote, when Nawaz was ousted, protests were held for his reinstatement, advertisements were placed in newspapers and letters were written to members of Congress and the US president, which eventually prompted Clinton’s visit.

    On Pakistan-US relations, Dr Ashraf said that the events of September 11 shook the US, which is why it targeted Afghanistan. 

    Nonetheless, he acknowledged that President Musharraf assured President George W Bush of full cooperation, accepting five out of seven demands. Had Pakistan not complied, it would have faced economic ruin, detrimental to national security.

    In his book, he also wrote about former PM Imran Khan’s 2019 visit to the US, terming it “successful”. He said it strengthened Pakistan-US relations. 

    Dr Ashraf also recounted a meeting he had with former Indian PM Manmohan Singh during General Musharraf’s visit to India, during which Singh confirmed that he had sent two tons of gold to the Bank of England to secure a loan, as he was not in favour of going to the IMF. From the loan obtained from the Bank of England, Dr Singh initiated a new economic policy in India, he wrote. 

    During his stint as the chief of the National Commission for Human Development, Dr Ashraf said he faced numerous challenges, even contemplating resignation at one point. The programme’s success can be gauged by the fact that Tony Blair’s son, Nicholas Blair, came to Pakistan specifically for an internship.

  • Govt to refuse PTI’s demand for judicial probe into May 9: report

    Govt to refuse PTI’s demand for judicial probe into May 9: report

    In a massive blow to the ongoing negotiations, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led government has refused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) demand for the formation of a judicial commission to probe the May 9 incident, reports said Monday.

    Reports quoted sources saying that the government had prepared responses to the PTI’s demands, which were finally handed over to the government in writing ahead of the third round of talks last week.

    The government has raised objections to the demands, reports said and added that reason behind its refusal to form a judicial commission on May 9 was the fact that the matter was sub-judice.

    A judicial commission can only be formed in cases that are not pending before a court, reports quoted sources as saying. They added that in case of May 9, several cases pertaining to the violence were being heard by different courts, whereas some accused had also been committed by military courts.

    In reference to another demand of the PTI, the government will be seeking names and details of the party workers who have been “missing” and are believed to have been arrested in connection with November 26 protests. “How can any step be taken for their release without their names and other relevant information?” reports quoted sources as questioning in response to the demand.

    In the government’s response, reports added, the PTI will also be asked to provide details of the alleged deaths that took place during crackdown on Nov 26 protesters in Islamabad.

    Response to the PTI’s demands will be handed over to National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq within a few days, upon which he will summon the fourth meeting between the negotiation committees of the government and opposition, reports said.

    It merits a mention that the development comes days after the PTI, following party founder Imran Khan’s approval, submitted its demands to the government in writing. Earlier, the negotiations between the two sides had hit a roadblock amid government’s insistence and the PTI’s reluctance in doing so.

    PTI’s first demand for headway in talks is the formation of a judicial commission to probe the May 9 and Nov 26 incidents that saw widespread violent protests, resulting in a crackdown on its supporters and leadership across the country.

    The former ruling party’s other demands pertain to the release of political prisoners from jail and unearthing of facts surrounding the alleged death of party workers at the hands of law enforcement during protests.

  • Pre-partition Ahmadi worship place demolished in Sialkot

    Pre-partition Ahmadi worship place demolished in Sialkot

    The local administration in Daska, Sialkot, has demolished an Ahmadiyya place of worship built by former foreign minister Zafarullah Khan.

    According to the administration, the demolition was part of an anti-encroachment campaign.

    The building was razed on January 16. A notice was reportedly issued two days prior under the Punjab Local Government Act, claiming that the extension of the structure was illegal because it encroached 13 feet onto a public road.

    However, the local Ahmadiyya community asserted that efforts were made to comply with the notice by removing the extended 13 feet on January 15. Despite their claimed compliance, Daska Assistant Commissioner Maham Mushtaq, accompanied by the police, proceeded with the demolition.

    The anti-encroachment operation lasted from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the evening, during which the electricity supply to the entire area was cut off.

    The worship place was built by Zafarullah Khan in his native town of Daska, Sialkot, years before Pakistan’s independence in 1947. He later served as Pakistan’s first foreign minister from 1947 to 1954 and was also a key advocate for the Ahmadi cause in the subcontinent.

    Incidents of razing Ahmadi worship places in Punjab are relatively high, with data showing that 22 of their worship places were demolished across the province in 2024 alone.

    A spokesperson for Jamaat Ahmadiyya Pakistan, Aamir Mehmood, accused the government of being complicit in targeting the Ahmadi community, claiming that the local administration continuously targets the community’s properties and ignores their grievances.

    He also claimed that the demolished building had not been altered or extended since its original construction before the partition.

    He requested the government to take immediate action to protect their places of worship.

    Previously, in September 2023, it was reported that the banned outfit Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) threatened to destroy the minarets of the same Ahmadiyya worship place in Daska.

    The same year, the Lahore High Court ruled that Sections 298-B and 298-C of the Pakistan Penal Code criminalise specific acts of the Ahmadiyya community but do not authorise the demolition of structures built before these provisions were incorporated through a 1984 ordinance.

  • Hamid Mir called out for ‘half-baked’ story against Al-Qadir Trust case judge

    Hamid Mir called out for ‘half-baked’ story against Al-Qadir Trust case judge

    Journalist Imran Waseem has called out prominent journalist Hamid Mir for sharing a “half-baked” story and misrepresenting facts regarding Nasir Javed Rana, the judge who sentenced former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the Al-Qadir Trust case Friday.

    With Khan and his wife being sentenced to 14 and seven years in prison, respectively, in the Al-Qadir Trust case, a series on posts on social media targeted the accountability judge who delivered the verdict. The posts questioned Judge Rana’s credibility on the basis of a 2004 suo motu ruling that had restrained him from exervising his powers as a magistrate.

    “This is a Supreme Court verdict against Judge Nasir Javed Rana in 2004. Chief Justice of Pakistan took a Suo Motu action against civil judge Nasir Javed Rana and his judicial powers were withdrawn. He was declared unfit for judicial service but the same judge was hired again [sic],” Mir wrote while sharing said documents on his X account.

    Journalist Imran Waseem, however, was quick to react to the post, declaring it “half-baked” truth. “Half-truths are not the truth… they create the impression of lies. If you want to write, then write the whole truth,” he said while quoting Mir’s post.

    “Senior journalist Hamid Mir has shared half/incomplete information in this tweet. Undoubtedly, the Supreme Court passed observations on the matter concerning Judge Nasir Javed Rana, but the case was referred to the Lahore High Court for further inquiry. After conducting the inquiry, the Lahore High Court reinstated Nasir Javed Rana to his position,” he clarified.

    It may be noted that the case in question pertained to the Supreme Court on October 26, 2004, withdrawing Rana’s judicial powers as a magistrate for granting a ten-day remand of a senior lawyer in violation of the law. The apex court had also directed the Lahore High Court (LHC) to take further action.

    “The magistrate has a strong tendency for committing any mischief and is absolutely unfit for judicial service,” then chief justice of Pakistan (CJP), Justice Nazim Hussain Siddiqui, had said in a 14-page judgment on the suo motu notice against the illegal detention of lawyer Habib Wahabul Khairi.

    Later, then LHC chief justice Iftikhar Hussain Chaudhry, after an inquiry, had acquitted Rana of the charges and reinstated him as a magistrate.


    On Friday, Rana delivered the much-delayed verdict in the Al-Qadir Trust case also known as the £190 million case. The verdict was announced at a makeshift courtroom in Adiala Jail and pertained to the misappropriation of funds by former PM Khan in collusion with property tycoon Malik Riaz.

    In the verdict, Khan was also slapped with a fine of Rs1 million whereas his wife was fined Rs500,000. The former first lady was also taken into custody after months of bail.

  • Chinese firm contacts NAB after Sindh govt official demands apartment in Burj Khalifa

    Chinese firm contacts NAB after Sindh govt official demands apartment in Burj Khalifa

    A Chinese firm has submitted a written complaint with Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) after an official of the Sindh government allegedly demanded an apartment in Dubai’s Burj Khalifa in return for awarding them a restoration tender.

    According to a copy of the letter, which is available with The Current, Sindh Barrages Improvement Project (SBIP) Director Ghulam Mohiyuddin Mughal demanded commission from China Road & Bridge Corporation/Hubei Shuizong Water Resources and Hydropower Construction Co. Ltd. (CRBC-HBSZ) against handing them the contract for the restoration and upgradation of the Sukkur Barrage. He went on to demand a 3,600 sq ft apartment in Burj Khalifa, the letter said.

    “It is stated our firm participated in the bidding process of the name of work ‘Restoration and Upgradation of Sukkur Barrage Contract: SBIP/SI and qualified for award of said work. The above officer demanded amount on award of work as commission and later on his demand is accelerated by sending picture of (Burj Khalifa) Dubai to purchase an apartment (covered area 3600 sq.ft) in his name,” read the letter.

    Titled “Complaint against Mr Ghulam Mohiyuddin Mughal (Project Director) Project Management Office (PMO) Sindh Barrages Improvement Project (SBIP)”, the letter called on the director general of NAB Karachi to initiate an inquiry against the official for demanding bribes in exchange for approving a contract related to the Sukkur Barrage restoration. It further said that in case of inaction against the official, the firm would have to suspend work on the mega project.

    “Your gracious control is therefore requested to please enquire in the matter, and necessary penal action may please be taken against otherwise, we shall suspend the work halfway.”

    While the government is yet to react to the allegations against the official, it may be noted that the foundation of the Rs34 billion project was laid by the Sindh government of Sindh with the support of the World Bank. CRBC-HBSZ is responsible to execute and complete work on the same while also remedying any defects therein.

    SBIP is the implementation body of the project that aims to extend the life of the 90-year-old barrage by another 30 years.

    The project includes rehabilitation and modularisation of the structure, mechanical components, development of the system, improvement of surveillance and monitoring system, dredging, desilting of left and right canals etc.

    Sukkur Barrage is one of the most important and strategic structures of the Indus Basin Irrigation System.

    Located about 170 kilometers downstream of Guddu Barrage, Sukkur Barrage supplies water to seven large canals on the left and right banks with a total command area of approximately 3.2 million hectares, the annual agricultural production of which is worth about US$2.29 billion.

  • ‘Rewriting Pakistan Studies’: Maryam Nawaz accused of republishing books to add her pictures

    ‘Rewriting Pakistan Studies’: Maryam Nawaz accused of republishing books to add her pictures

    Television show host and anchor Junaid Saleem has alleged on his YouTube channel, Insaf Digital, that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered the addition of one extra chapter in the Pakistan Studies textbook for grade 10, featuring photographs of herself and her mother, Kulsoom Nawaz.

    “Maryam Nawaz has taken a great initiative by adding another chapter in the government-approved Pakistan Studies textbook for grade 10, along with her picture,” stated the anchor in his recent video on January 17.

    Saleem also raised a concern that any change in syllabus or curriculum, including the addition of a chapter, renders the previous textbook editions useless for hundreds of thousands of students.

    “New editions of that book would be published in massive numbers, and previous books wouldn’t be acceptable anymore. In fact, it isn’t uncommon for three or four students to use one book amid financial constraints. And whenever any change is made in a book, it presents an extreme difficulty for financially challenged students,” alleged Junaid Saleem.

    Saleem asserted that the Minister has introduced a new chapter to include the pictures of her and her mother.

    The topic is reportedly titled ‘Women’s Role in the Country’s Progress,’ and to “balance out” the inclusion of the deceased Kulsoom Nawaz’s picture, the picture of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s mother, Nusrat Bhutto, has also been added.

    According to the television host, the chapter narrates details about Kulsoom Nawaz’s “struggles and bravery for the democracy of Pakistan.”

    Junaid Saleem questioned, “If they want to teach students about those who struggled for democracy, then why wasn’t Dr. Yasim Rashid mentioned? Do you not think that the students would ask you that question? Even 5th-grade students ask you about the stolen election, but these are grade 10 students.”

    Social media users reacted angrily to the development, with one user writing: “Don’t worry, the kids will close that chapter with a stapler/glue. Even children are not so stupid anymore.”

    Another user wrote: “There is a limit to ignorance, this woman is mentally ill, she wanted to become a model and actress so that she could make a name for herself, she flopped due to lack of talent and now she keeps doing such stupid things.”

    One wrote: “There are only currency notes left where Maryam Bibi’s image cannot be seen. Then when we say that the Sindh Chief Minister and the PPP are better parties than the PML-N, everyone gets angry. Even the PPP did not do this, while the women of this party have made sacrifices for democracy.”

    This image is generated with AI.

  • BEWARE: Group ‘honey-trapping’ youngsters in blasphemy on social media

    BEWARE: Group ‘honey-trapping’ youngsters in blasphemy on social media

    A report issued by the Special Branch in Punjab has revealed that over 400 young boys and girls are reportedly being persecuted in Pakistan under the blasphemy law for sharing blasphemous content on the internet.

    The report stated that the suspicious gang “The Blasphemy Business” trapped young boys and girls into “committing” blasphemy and then reported them to the Federal Investigating Agency (FIA). The gang is reportedly doing this heinous act for financial gain.

    Young prisoners under blasphemy charges are reportedly from diverse fields, including Hafiz-e-Quran, software engineers, electrical, mechanical, civil and chemical engineers. All of the blasphemy victims belong to poor and middle-class families, the report said.

    FIA confirmed receiving the report on the “The Blasphemy Business” group in January 2024, in which it mentioned that a special gang is a complainant in 90 per cent of blasphemy cases, the document added.

    Moreover, the document noted that reportedly the “The Blasphemy Business” has been headed by a lawyer, Rao Abdur Raheem Advocate, based in Islamabad, whose Whatsapp account is linked to a mobile number in Spain that was reportedly involved in malpractice and under his chairmanship, the gang is involved in trapping youth in blasphemy cases and then extorting money from the accused.

    In an interview with Fact Focus, responding to the extreme punishment and the possibility of unintentional errors by some of the accused, the lawyer said, “If any part of the body is affected by cancer, that part is cut out. There is no other solution.”


    How did the group trap naive youth?

    The report disclosed that obscene images with objectionable material were sent to the victims via WhatsApp; when the receiver protested, the sender denied that he initially sent it and then asked for the image to be shown.

    The recipient would resend the picture, after which the sender would block them; later, the recipient would be arrested and accused of originating the blasphemous content, the report said.

    The report explained that the gang further runs social media groups named “United Mazhabi Story, Laiba Mazhabi King and Azad Mazhabi Ilam,” where their modus operandi of trapping innocents is the same as described above.

    The 40 families of victims of blasphemy cases peacefully protested outside the National Press Club Islamabad on October 2, 2024, and demanded the federal government set up an inquiry commission under the Inquiry Commission Act to investigate the issue.

    Prominent journalist Ali Hamza reported that Advocate Usman Warraich is representing the victim’s family in a petition filed in Islamabad High Court (IHC) to probe the Special Branch Punjab Report.

    Warraich said: “At least 400 families are suffering because of these allegations.”

    “We were instructed in a letter to bring your son [at the police station] for inquiry. As responsible citizens, we produced our son before police….when we informed them [police] that our son is blind and incapable of committing any wrongdoing, taftishi (investigator) put my son behind bars and demanded one lac rupees for my son’s release,” alleged victim’s mother, Saeeda Bibi, while speaking to Voicepkdotnet on Sunday (January 12) in Islamabad.

    “We are poor people; they [police] conducted two raids on our home, and broke down its walls,” she haltingly said, adding that she has been fighting her son’s case for three years, and the legal expenses have led them to the brink of bankruptcy.

  • ‘Magic, witchcraft will not be taught in Al Qadir University’; Maryam Nawaz’s remarks spark outrage

    ‘Magic, witchcraft will not be taught in Al Qadir University’; Maryam Nawaz’s remarks spark outrage

    Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Maryam Nawaz made controversial remarks hours after an accountability court on Friday sentenced the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 14 and seven years imprisonment respectively in the Al Qadir Trust case.

    An accountability court in the federal capital on Friday convicted former premier Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the Al Qadir Trust case, commonly known as the £190 million case.

    Judge Nasir Javed Rana slapped Imran Khan with a fine of Rs1 million, while his wife will have to pay a fine of Rs0.5 million. In case they fail to pay the fine, the ex-prime minister will serve six more months, and Bushra will be in jail for three additional months.

    As per the verdict, Imran Khan was convicted of “corrupt practices” and “misuse of authority”, while the first lady was convicted of “involvement in illegal activities”. Following the announcement of the verdict, Bushra Bibi was taken into custody from the court premises.

    Speaking at the launching ceremony of the CM Honhaar Scholarship in Okara, Maryam Nawaz stated, “After the verdict, the (Al Qadir) university’s ownership has been transferred to the government, meaning it is now under my authority. Religious and academic education will be provided at Al Qadir University. You (students) will not be taught magic and witchcraft there (Al Qadir University).”

    Her remarks stirred a hornet’s nest among social media users, with some calling her statement a result of personal hatred towards Imran’s wife, Bushra Bibi.

    TV host Meher Bokhari, while sharing a short clip of CM Punjab’s speech on X (formerly Twitter), asked, “When will our politics rise above personal jibes and mudslinging? Was there a need for this?”

    Netizens were also quick to pounce upon Maryam Nawaz’s remarks, as one social media user commented, “This is pathetic, to say the least. This is such a low, and these words will be remembered for the rest of eternity.”

    Another user expressed disappointment at CM Punjab’s remarks, writing, “She has lost her grace by saying that. She shouldn’t have said that.”

    “Hahaha, that’s just hilarious. So they will make that university like the rest of the public schools in Punjab. Allah protects us all now. Ur family reigned for 40 years in Punjab, and look at the public sector education system. Shameful they don’t even get embarrassed,” another wrote.

    AL-QADIR TRUST CASE & VERDICT:
     

    The Al-Qadir Trust or £190 million case pertains to allegations that Khan, along with his wife and others, in 2019 was involved in misappropriation of funds worth a whopping Rs50 billion, which had been returned to Pakistan by the National Crime Agency (NCA) of the United Kingdom (UK).

    The amount, according to the case against Khan, was related to Bahria Town owner Malik Riaz’s assets that were seized by the NCA during PTI’s government in Pakistan. Even though it was decided that the recovered amount would be submitted to the Supreme Court on behalf of Riaz, Al-Qadir Trust was set up a few weeks later following an agreement with the property tycoon for legal cover to the black money received from the NCA.

    It was also under said case that Khan was first arrested on May 9, 2023, leading to the infamous violent protests by his party across the country.

    According to the 148-page verdict on Friday, the former premier was convicted for “corrupt practices” and “misuse of authority”, while the former first lady was convicted for “involvement in illegal activities”.

    Khan was convicted under Section 9(a)(ii)(iv)(vi) of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999, whereas Bushra was convicted under Sections 9(a)(xii) of the same ordinance for “aiding, assisting, and abetting” corruption and corrupt practices.

  • Attack on aid convoy claims nine lives in Kurram

    Attack on aid convoy claims nine lives in Kurram

    The crisis in Kurram is lingering on after a recent attack on an aid convoy claimed the lives of two security personnel and seven drivers. 


    The local police said that apart from the two security officials, three drivers were also killed in the terrorist attack. Additionally, the bodies of four of the five drivers who went missing were later found, taking the total number of martyred drivers to seven.


    Local traders reported that after Thursday’s attack, the trucks were looted and set on fire by miscreants.


    Earlier, it was reported that one officer was martyred in the terrorist attack on a convoy going to Kurram, while six attackers were killed and ten injured in the retaliatory operation of the security forces.


    Additional Deputy Commissioner Shaukat Ali said in a statement that three vehicles in the convoy were damaged in the attack. This was reportedly the first phase of the third convoy in which a freight of 35 vehicles was sent. The aid included medicines, vegetables, fruits and other essential items.


    Assistant Commi­ssioner Hangu Manan Saeed told the media that the incident took place in the Bagan area, where the vehicles were attacked with rockets and automatic weapons on the way to Kurram.


    After the attack, rival factions of Talo Kunj and Badshah Kot and Chardeval, Jalmay, Irfani and Alizai were entrenched against each other, raising fears that the incident could re-trigger sectarian clashes across the Kurram district.


    Later, two gunship helicopters also reached Bagan.


    Dawn quotes security sources as saying, “Reportedly, militants have burnt seven loaded vehicles and also diverted few vehicles of convoy to Jarhani area (Lower Kurram near Bagan) for unloading.” 


    Another 15 trucks, which were looted, returned to  Thall town from where they started the journey while only one vehicle still loaded with goods managed to reach safely.”


    Notably, a heavy contingent of police, FC and security personnel were deployed for the security of the convoy.


    After the terrorist incident, the second aid convoy going to Parachinar was halted and sent back.

     
    It merits mentioning that members of a Grand Jirga recently negotiated a peace accord on the first day of the new year, but the situation on the ground is far from normal.


    This was the third aid convoy being sent to Parachinar after the second one came under attack.

    The first convoy reached Parachinar on January 8 while the rest remained stuck on the Hangu-Kurram border for several days post a January 4 attack that left deputy commissioner Kurram Javedullah Mehsud and six others wounded by gunshots. 


     Former MNA Pir Haider Ali Shah and others condemned the incident and reminded the government of its promise made at the time of the peace agreement to open roads and take immediate action in the event of attacks to establish a long-lasting peace.

  • Al-Qadir verdict: ‘Imran Khan had tears in his eyes, smile on his face,’ claims reporter

    Al-Qadir verdict: ‘Imran Khan had tears in his eyes, smile on his face,’ claims reporter

    With an accountability court handing down sentences to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the Al-Qadir Trust case, a reporter has claimed to have noticed the former premier tearing up with a smile on his face when the verdict was announced.

    Judge Nasir Javed Rana on Friday sentenced Khan and Bushra to prison for 14 years and seven years, respectively, besides imposing fines worth Rs1 million on the incarcerated PTI founder and Rs500,000 on the former first lady. Bushra was taken into custody from the makeshift courtroom in Adiala Jail where Khan is already locked up in multiple cases against him.

    As the verdict makes headlines, drawing reactions from government members, experts, and opposition leaders, reporter Mohsin Bilal, who was present in the courtroom, has claimed to have spotted Khan tearing up with a smile on his face.

    The reporter, belonging to a digital media outlet, claimed that the former premier seemed worried and confused but somehow managed to keep up his usual persona.

    Earlier, Bilal also claimed to have overheard Bushra telling her jailed husband about two journalists who talked against him on the air, adding that she pointed at Hassan Ayub and Rizwan Razi.

    AL-QADIR TRUST CASE & VERDICT:

    The Al-Qadir Trust or £190 million case pertains to allegations that Khan, along with his wife and others, in 2019 was involved in misappropriation of funds worth a whopping Rs50 billion, which had been returned to Pakistan by the National Crime Agency (NCA) of the United Kingdom (UK).

    The amount, according to the case against Khan, was related to Bahria Town owner Malik Riaz’s assets that were seized by the NCA during PTI’s government in Pakistan. Even though it was decided that the recovered amount would be submitted to the Supreme Court on behalf of Riaz, Al-Qadir Trust was set up a few weeks later following an agreement with the property tycoon for legal cover to the black money received from the NCA.

    It was also under said case that Khan was first arrested on May 9, 2023, leading to the infamous violent protests by his party across the country.

    According to the 148-page verdict on Friday, the former premier was convicted for “corrupt practices” and “misuse of authority”, while the former first lady was convicted for “involvement in illegal activities”.

    Khan was convicted under Section 9(a)(ii)(iv)(vi) of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999, whereas Bushra was convicted under Sections 9(a)(xii) of the same ordinance for “aiding, assisting, and abetting” corruption and corrupt practices.