Does the decision in the Al-Qadir Trust case meet legal requirements?

 Friday, January 17, 2025

Islamabad (Point News Today / Pakistan Point News - 17th January, 2025 ) Experts believe that political decisions are a big obstacle to the rule of law and the promotion of democratic traditions in the country, and the recent decision is also based on political revenge, because negotiations are currently underway between the government and the PTI. The aim of this is that the decision, which has been announced after being postponed three times, has been made only to bring the PTI to the negotiating table.

Experts also believe that the country's military establishment has a special role behind this decision. They also say that the decision does not meet the legal requirements because it was not a criminal case, it was dealt with as a major crime.

What is the connection between Imran Khan and Malik Riaz with the Al-Qadir Trust case?

Former Prime Minister of the country Shahid Khaqan Abbasi says, "I am not aware of any political case that has been decided on merit till date and the law has become a joke in this country.

Who does not know that this is a political decision and such decisions cannot bring any improvement in the country. He further said that what can the government give to the opposition in the negotiations. The decision of this case was being postponed and now it has also been announced. Even if the negotiations are successful, how can the government overturn the decision announced by the court? PTI will have to turn to the court again for this because the government no longer has the information about the decision of this case.

PTI leaders also believe that the Al-Qadir Trust decision will disrupt the negotiations between the government and the opposition. PTI Senator Falak Naz says, "This is a political decision and it will prove to be a major obstacle in the negotiations between the two parties. This is not a court decision, some other force is behind it, but we will not lose heart and will exercise our right to defend ourselves at all forums.

With such tactics, the government cannot achieve the results it wants during the negotiations."

What are the details and legal status of the Al-Qadir Trust decision?

On Friday, the Anti-Corruption Court sentenced Imran Khan to 14 years in prison and his wife to seven years. The details of the Al-Qadir Trust case are as follows: Bahria Town owner Malik Riaz’s £190 million was seized by the British government for money laundering and since that money was sent to Britain illegally from Pakistan and through money laundering, that money could have been returned to the Pakistani government.

Along with this, the Supreme Court had decided to impose a fine of Rs460 billion on Malik Riaz in a case of illegally acquired government land, which Malik Riaz had to pay within seven years and deposit in the Supreme Court account opened in this regard.

Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi indicted in the Al-Qadir Trust case

Imran Khan, as Prime Minister, approved that the money received from Britain be deposited by Malik Riaz in the Supreme Court.

Imran Khan and his wife are accused of giving this benefit to Malik Riaz because the money coming from the UK belonged to the government and the fine was to be paid separately by Malik Riaz. It was alleged that in return for giving this benefit, Imran Khan and his wife acquired land worth billions of rupees in the name of Al-Qadir Trust, whose trustees are both husband and wife.

Imran Khan’s bail granted

Legal experts who are fighting the PTI’s case believe that it can be considered a technical irregularity, but such cases only fall under the category of technical errors and cannot be punished on this basis. Senior lawyer Hamid Khan says, “This is a technical error. It cannot be proven as a bribery case.”

The money deposited in the Supreme Court account could have been deposited back into the government’s account and Malik Riaz could have been ordered to pay his fine separately. This is not a legal decision but a political one and has been made under pressure from powerful circles.”

Imran Khan’s busy day in the courts after his arrest

What are the other legal avenues and how much hope is there for justice?

Hamid Khan said that now this decision will be challenged in the High Court.

The Islamabad High Court is a court with a good reputation, many of whose judges are known for their bold decisions. But he expressed his concern and said, “It is a fact that there is a lot of pressure from the military establishment on the judges and six judges of the High Court have expressed this last year. Now, after filing the case, we will know what the situation will be.”