ISLAMABAD: The government on Friday defended the conviction of ex-premier Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the £190m Al-Qadir Trust case, as Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said it was an “open-and-shut case” and the verdict was based on merit.
Speaking at a news conference alongside Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, the minister asserted that the case followed law and that a religion card was used in the proceedings.
Minister Ata said Khan failed to present concrete evidence in court, leading to his conviction. He stressed despite the defence counsel’s political approach to the case, the court’s decision was firmly grounded in facts. “The defence lawyer was unable to prove innocence, and the case demonstrated clear corruption and bribery,” Ata said, adding the sentence had been delivered following legal requirements and on merit.
Leading lawyers have commented that the decision aligns with legal standards, he said. Law Minister Azam said Khan has the right to appeal the conviction.