Pakistan's former premier receives 3-week bail in graft case

KARACHI, Pakistan

A Pakistani court granted bail Wednesday to former Prime Minister Imran Khan until June 19 in a graft case, according to court records.

The accountability court in Islamabad granted Khan bail in the $239 million corruption case, known as the Al Qadir Trust case, against a surety bond of Rs500,000 ($1,750).

Earlier Wednesday, the Islamabad High Court extended Khan's bail in the case, directing him to approach the relevant court within three days.

The court also extended bail to Khan in seven separate cases for another 10 days.

A two-member bench of the High Court directed Khan to appear before relevant courts within 10 days and barred police from arresting him during that period.

Khan, along with his wife Bushra Bibi, also appeared before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) anti-graft watchdog in the $237 million corruption case.

Khan, 70, the only premier who was ousted in a no-trust vote in Pakistan’s 75-year history, is facing a slew of cases, ranging from terrorism to attempted murder and money laundering.

Most of the cases, which Khan dubs a “sham,” were lodged after his ouster.

He was deposed as prime minister after parliament passed a no-confidence vote in April last year.

Khan blames his unceremonious ouster on a US-backed conspiracy -- allegations the incumbent coalition government in Islamabad and Washington have repeatedly refuted.

He narrowly escaped assassination while leading an anti-government march toward Islamabad in November.

What is the Al Qadir case?

Khan was arrested by the NAB in connection with alleged corruption involving the Al Qadir University Trust. But his arrest was declared illegal by the country's top court, and he was released on bail.

It is alleged that Khan and his wife received billions of rupees and a large piece of costly land to build the educational institution in return for releasing £190 million ($239 million) to a property tycoon in 2020.

The amount was identified and returned to the country by the UK's National Crime Agency following a settlement with real estate tycoon Malik Riaz in 2019.

The anti-graft department alleges that Khan's PTI government struck a deal with Riaz that caused a loss of more than $239 million to the national exchequer in a quid pro quo arrangement with the businessman.

Khan and his party leaders, however, have denied the allegations.