IHC reserves verdict on PTI founder's bail plea in 190m pounds case
Pakistan
What happened in Lahore on Wednesday deplorable, remarks Chief Justice Aamer Farooq
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday reserved verdict on the PTI founder's bail plea in the 190 million pounds reference.
A two-member bench, headed by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, earlier conducted the proceedings and adjourned the case.
NAB prosecutor Amjad Pervaiz’s arguments:
During today’s hearing, NAB's special prosecutor Amjad Pervaiz initiated arguments. IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq asked him, "Are you saying that the money was obtained through corruption?" Pervaiz, replied that the money should have come to the government of Pakistan.
Justice Tariq Jahangiri asked, "You have no documentation; it's all verbal. I asked earlier if you have an order for freezing or defreezing?" You said you have no documentation. Do you have any evidence of an out-of-court settlement? You should only speak about what evidence you have."
Chief Justice Aamer Farooq said, "The question is very simple. I don't understand why you're not answering. You've already answered this question in your documents."
Amjad Pervaiz, said that the Supreme Court had written in its order that this money belongs to the state of Pakistan. The Supreme Court had ordered that the money transferred to the Supreme Court's account was sent incorrectly. According to the documents, the money could not be transferred without the approval of the National Crime Agency, he added.
Justice Tariq Jahangiri asked, "What will you say about the money transferred before the notes given to the prime minister?"
Amjad Pervaiz, said that the money was transferred after the completion of the confidentiality deed. The head of the East Recovery Unit was associated directly with the Prime Minister's Office.
Justice Tariq Jahangiri said, "It's not written in the confidentiality deed that the money will go to the Supreme Court's account."
Amjad Pervaiz, said, "I have reread the confidentiality deed at the request of this court. This confidentiality deed was a big fraud. The East Recovery Unit was directly under the Prime Minister's Office."
Justice Tariq Jahangiri asked, "How is this related to the PTI founder?"
Amjad Pervaiz replied, "Public servants cannot accept gifts from individuals whose case is pending. 458 acres of land were bought and transferred to Zulfi Bukhari's name."
Justice Tariq Jahangiri inquired, "Who are the individuals who transferred the land?"
Amjad Pervaiz replied, "Private individuals bought the land and transferred it to Zulfi Bukhari's name. The transfer of land took place during the correspondence with the ACU of the East Recovery Unit, and the Al-Qadir Trust did not exist at the time of the land transfer."
Chief Justice Aamir Farooq asked, "Tell me about the trust. When was the trust registered?" To which Amjad Pervaiz replied, "The story of the trust is quite interesting."
Amjad Pervaiz said that statements of 39 out of 59 witnesses have been recorded.
Arguments of PTI's lawyer Latif Khosa:
During the hearing, PTI's lawyer Latif Khosa said that NAB's witness admitted that there was no signature of the PTI founder anywhere.
"NAB's witness admitted that no money was transferred to the accounts of PTI founder or Bushra Bibi. The witness admitted that PTI founder or Bushra Bibi did not benefit personally. At no time did NAB oppose this witness's statement. What remains in the case after this witness's statement?," he added.
After hearing the arguments from both sides, the IHC bench reserved the decision on the PTI founder's bail application.
