The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has filed a new Toshakhana reference against detained PTI leader Imran Khan and former first lady Bushra Bibi.
On Tuesday, investigation officer Moshin Haroon and case officer Waqarul Hassan submitted the reference in Islamabad’s accountability court.
The reference is compiled in two volumes and will be reviewed by the court’s registrar before being assigned to an administrative judge, who will then determine whether the case will proceed in his court or be transferred.
It’s important to note that Judge Nasir Javed Rana is already handling a case involving a £190 million reference, in which both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were taken into custody on July 13, remaining under NAB detention for 37 days.
In a related development, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has barred the trial court from delivering a final verdict in the £190 million case at the request of Imran Khan.
A division bench comprising Justice Babar Sattar and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard the case, with petitioner’s lawyers Barrister Salman Safdar and Khalid Yousuf Chaudhry presenting arguments.
The lawyers highlighted that 35 witnesses have testified in the reference against Imran Khan, with the last witness currently under examination. They further argued that Khan was arrested on the IHC premises in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust case.
The petition pointed out that NAB initially filed a reference against eight individuals.
The allegation revolves around the transfer of £190 million, which, according to NAB, was facilitated by Imran Khan during his tenure as prime minister.
The funds were allegedly deposited into the Supreme Court’s account rather than the State Bank of Pakistan.
The trial court had earlier rejected a request from Khan’s legal team to obtain records from a NAB executive board meeting, a decision that was criticized by the defense counsel.
The court has now issued a notice to NAB, requesting a response by August 20.
On August 16, Imran Khan petitioned the IHC to halt the trial proceedings in the £190 million case.
