In the ongoing £190 million reference trial against Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has decided to drop 10 “unnecessary” prosecution witnesses. This decision was conveyed by NAB Prosecutor General Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi during the hearing at the Islamabad Accountability Court presided over by Judge Nasir Javed Rana inside Adiala Central Jail.
Out of the total 59 witnesses in the reference, 10 have been deemed unnecessary by the prosecution. Of the remaining 49 witnesses, statements from 26 have already been recorded, with their cross-examination completed by the defence. The prosecutor general stated that the statements of the remaining 23 witnesses will be recorded during the trial proceedings.
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During the recent hearing, one witness’s statement was recorded, and another witness was cross-examined. The cross-examination of a third witness was ongoing when the court adjourned until May 8.
Imran Khan addressed the media after the hearing, stating that while he proposed three names for talks, they were not for any deal. He criticized NAB, alleging that a new Toshakhana case was being brought forward. Imran urged the judges to expedite the PTI’s cases’ proceedings. Regarding Bushra Bibi’s health, Imran mentioned that her medical tests did not yield negative results, and her health remains a concern.
After the hearing, several PTI leaders, including party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Ali Muhammad Khan, along with former Supreme Court Bar Association president Abid Zubiri, met with Imran Khan outside Adiala Jail. Abid Zubiri expressed concerns about the trial, calling for a fair and open trial in accordance with the Constitution and the law. He demanded that Imran Khan’s cases be tried openly in court.
