NAB seeks Imran Khan’s 14-day remand in Al-Qadir Trust case
THe hearing of corruption case against Imran Khan begins at special court
NAB has sought Imran Khan’s 14-day remand in the Al-Qadir Trust case!
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) presented former prime minister and PTI chief Imran Khan at the Islamabad Police Lines, which has been given the status of a court venue as a “one-time dispensation”.
At the outset of today’s hearing, NAB requested the court to grant 14-day physical remand of Imran Khan.
However, the PTI chairman’s lawyer opposed the request and said that the case did not fall within the bureau’s ambit.
He further said that NAB had not shared the inquiry report either.
“Everyone has the right to a fair trial,” he said, calling for the hearing to be held in an open court.
Several officials of NAB including Special Prosecutor Rafay Maqsood, Deputy Prosecutor Muzaffar Abbasi, Prosecutor Sardar Zulqarnain, and investigation officer Mian Umar Nadeem were present in the court.
According to the sources, Imran Khan’s legal team was earlier denied permission to meet the party chief ahead of the hearing; however, once the hearing began Khan held discussions — during a hearing break — with lawyers Khawaja Haris, Faisal Chaudhry, Ali Gohar, and Ali Bukhari.
The NAB prosecutor informed the additional sessions judge Mohammad Bashir that PTI Chairman was shown warrants at the time of arrest; however, Imran Khan denied the claims saying that he saw the arrest warrants after reaching the NAB office.
Deputy Prosecutor Muzaffar Abbasi assured the judge that all necessary documents will be provided to the PTI chief’s lawyers.
Taking a break, the judge directed the legal team to hold discussions with Imran Khan as the former complained that the authorities did not allow them to meet their client before the hearing.
As the hearing resumed, Khawaja Haris argued about the legality of Imran Khan’s arrest.
Sharing the details of the case, Abbasi said that the money was seized by the UK’s National Crime Agency and sent it back to the Government of Pakistan.
Meanwhile, more than 2,000 police personnel have been deployed outside Police Lines, Islamabad.
The entry of non-related persons is strictly prohibited, while the PTI leaders could not get permission to enter the court in their vehicles.
According to police sources, monitoring of the police lines is also being carried out with the help of CCTV and drone cameras.
