Al-Qadir Trust case: court grants NAB eight-day physical remand of Imran

The hearing began at the New Police Guest House, Police Lines, where PTI chief is detained

RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – An accountability court on Wednesday announced the physical remand of PTI chief Imran Khan to NAB for eight days.

The decision was announced by accountability court judge Muhammad Bashir in a case pertaining to Al-Qadir Trust. The accountability bureau requested Imran Khan's physical remand for 14 days.

Earlier, sources said, legal team was denied permission to meet Imran ahead of the hearing. However, he consulted his lawyers Khawaja Haris, Faisal Chaudhry, Ali Gohar, and Ali Bukhari during a break in hearing.

The NAB was represented by Special Prosecutor Rafay Maqsood, Deputy Prosecutor Muzaffar Abbasi, Prosecutor Sardar Zulqarnain and investigation officer Mian Umar Nadeem.

The NAB prosecutor informed the additional sessions judge Mohammad Bashir that Imran was shown warrants at the time of arrest; however, the PTI chief denied the claim, saying that he saw the arrest warrants after reaching the NAB office.

Mr Abbasi assured the judge that all necessary documents would be provided to the PTI chief’s lawyers.

The judge allowed a break when Imran complained that the authorities did not allow his lawyers to meet him before the hearing.

When the hearing resumed, Haris argued about the legality of Imran’s arrest.

Sharing the details of the case, Mr Abbasi said the money was seized by the UK’s National Crime Agency and sent it back to the Government of Pakistan.

After the completion of his lawyer Haris’s argument, Imran Khan said he never refused to share record with the NAB.

“The NAB is saying they want to compile the records,” Mr Khan said, questioning when did he deny access to any of the records.

The former prime minister added that all transactions were made after the approval of the cabinet. 

Recalling yesterday’s events, Mr Khan urged the judges to summon his team of doctors, especially Dr Faisal.

Medical report 

Meanwhile, a medical report of Imran was submitted to the NAB that declared him fit. A medical board, comprising seven doctors from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and two doctors from the Polyclinic, examined Imran soon after his arrest and conducted several tests.

The report submitted by the board, headed by Dr Rizwan Taj, showed that Khan’s blood pressure, sugar level, and heartbeat were normal.

Guest House declared court

Earlier, the guest house was declared court where Imran Khan's trial would be held. 

Sources said cases relating to NAB and Toshakhana would be heard at the New Police Guest House, Police Lines Headquarters instead of F-8 Court Complex and Judicial Complex G-11/4 Islamabad.

 A notification in this regard has also been issued. As per the notification, the judges who will hear the NAB and Toshakhana cases will go to the Police Lines Headquarters H11/1 Islamabad.

It is pertinent to mention here that a team of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), with the help of Rangers, on Tuesday took the former prime minister into custody in the Al-Qadir Trust case, prompting the IHC to take note. The NAB adopted a view that Imran Khan didn't respond to the notices sent to him and his arrest was 'completely in line with law and as per NAB ordinance'.

Saifullah Niazi, a cousin of Imran Khan, said the PTI chief had been arrested from the premises of the Islamabad High Court where he appeared in two cases. He was shifted to the NAB Rawalpindi office. The NAB team was assisted by the Pakistan Rangers personnel in the operation.

NAB custody

Sources claimed that Imran Khan is likely to remain under the custody of NAB for four to five days, as the bureau requested the court for his maximum remand allowed under the law.

They said the NAB officials would do their best to keep him under custody for at least four to five days. Under new amendments to the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999, the duration of physical remand has been cut from 90 days to 14 days, granted by any court.

Sources said the accountability watchdog would seek the maximum physical remand of 14 days from the court.