Imran Khan’s hearing is set to begin at IHC in the Al-Qadir Trust case shortly
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan is set to appear before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for a hearing regarding the Al-Qadir Trust case.
The Supreme Court, a day earlier, directed Khan to appear before the IHC today declaring his arrest this week — that triggered deadly clashes across the country — “unlawful”.
Khan was ordered to remain in the bench’s custody under police protection for his own safety until his court appearance today.
A three-member bench headed by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq will hear Khan’s bail petition.
The Islamabad Police spokesperson shared that as per the Supreme Courts order yesterday, Khan had met 10 people last night.
These include President Arif Alvi and Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid.
“Dr. Faisal, Khan’s personal physician, and a member of Khan’s legal team also met him at the police guest house,” the spokesperson added.
Khan’s arrest
Earlier, on May 9, Khan had appeared before the same court and bench in order to secure a pre-arrest bail in the land corruption case.
However, he was arrested by paramilitary troops on the directive of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) at the court’s biometric department.
Following Khan’s arrest, the IHC held another hearing to determine whether his arrest from the court premises was legal or not.
Subsequently, the court determined that it was.
However, yesterday the Supreme Court overturned the IHC’s verdict, declaring Khan’s arrest to be “illegal”.
The apex court, however, directed Khan to ensure his presence before the IHC today.
What is the Al-Qadir Trust case?
The former prime minister, along with his wife Bushra Bibi and other PTI leaders, is facing a NAB inquiry related to a settlement between the PTI government and a property tycoon, which reportedly caused a loss of 190 million pounds to the national exchequer.
As per the charges, Khan and other accused allegedly adjusted Rs50 billion — 190 million pounds at the time — sent by Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to the government.
They are also accused of getting undue benefit in the form of over 458 canals of land at Mouza Bakrala, Sohawa, to establish Al Qadir University.