Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has slammed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders for evading responsibility, saying they failed to appear in court despite awaiting a judge.
Reacting to comments made by PTI leader lawyer Saif, Bukhari said the judge waited for two hours, but the accused never arrived at the court, Express News reported.
She stressed that corruption is not just about illegally sending money abroad; money from money laundering that enters the country is considered “halal” corruption.
Bokhari also accused PTI leaders of using charitable organizations, such as Shaukat Khanum and Al-Qadir Trust, to carry out financial transactions for personal gain. “Proven liars and corrupt individuals cannot be sympathizers of the nation,” she added, further condemning the actions of those who have consistently accused their political rivals of corruption while now evading their own responsibilities.
She concluded by stating that those who have always criticized others as thieves and thieves are now fleeing justice and cannot escape responsibility forever.
Moreover, earlier today, Pakistan PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar dismissed speculation that the delay in the verdict of party founder Imran Khan was due to a deal.
Speaking to media outside Adiala jail, lawyer Gohar clarified that the decision was postponed by the judge at his own discretion, and not due to any negotiation or political agreement , reported Express News.
“We were waiting here today in Adiala, but the court staff informed us that the decision would be announced on January 17,” said lawyer Gohar.
He added that the attitude of the lower courts was inappropriate and the charges against Imran Khan were fabricated to put pressure on the PTI founder.
Lawyer Gohar further said that any rumors regarding a deal were unfounded.
He noted that the PTI legal team had heard of negotiations scheduled for January 15, but insisted that they had no relation to the current case.
“There is no link between the negotiations and an agreement,” he stressed.
Salman Akram Raja, another senior PTI lawyer, echoed lawyer Gohar’s statement, clarifying that the delay was not part of a political deal.
He stressed that the negotiations reported in the media should not be seen as part of an agreement on this matter.
Lawyer 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 a lack of confidence in the lower courts, but said the PTI would continue to seek justice in the higher courts.
“We do not expect anything from these courts, but we hope that the higher courts will be fair and we will take this case to them,” he concluded.
Earlier today, the Rawalpindi accountability court postponed for the third time the announcement of its verdict in the £190 million case involving former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi.
Judge Nasir Javed Rana said the verdict was postponed due to the absence of the accused and their legal representatives, Express News reported.
He said that although he arrived at the court at 8:30 a.m. and issued two summons to Imran Khan, Khan and Bushra Bibi did not appear.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecution team, as well as media and court staff, were present in the courtroom, but no members of the defense were present.
Due to the absence of the defendants and their lawyers, the judge decided to delay the verdict. The verdict will now be announced on January 17.
Initially, the verdict was set for December 23, 2024, but the court delayed it and rescheduled for January 6. The new decision date is now set for January 13. The benchmark’s £190 million trial was completed within a year. . This is the only case involving Imran Khan that took a year to conclude.
On November 13, 2023, NAB (National Accountability Bureau) arrested Imran Khan. The court formally indicted Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi on February 27, 2024. During the trial, statements of a total of 35 witnesses were recorded in the reference.
