ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Friday criticized the defense counsel in the £190 million corruption case, claiming they failed to counter evidence presented by the prosecution. Speaking to the media outside Parliament House, Tarar termed the case one of the largest corruption scandals in Pakistan’s history.
He alleged that the defense team focused on political rhetoric rather than presenting substantive evidence to prove the innocence of the accused, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan. “The judge, in the verdict, clearly stated that the defense counsel could not provide evidence to refute the prosecution’s proofs of bribery, corruption, and misuse of authority,” Tarar said.
Highlighting the scandal’s details, Tarar stated that the funds in question were confiscated by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and returned to Pakistan. However, he accused the PTI leadership of diverting the recovered amount back to the person it was initially seized from, calling this move a blatant misuse of power.
“The Al-Qadir Trust was merely a front for laundering black money obtained through corruption and bribery,” he claimed, further accusing PTI of using the funds to construct a house in Zaman Park, Lahore. “It is written in the documents of the Asset Recovery Unit, which was then headed by Shahzad Akbar, that £190 million was the amount recovered and returned by the NCA,” he said.
Tarar dismissed what he said were PTI’s attempts to use religious narratives to defend their position, stating that they had no legal or moral standing. He added that the prosecution had successfully proven corruption, bribery, and misuse of authority, while the defense failed to challenge the evidence or justify their actions.
The minister emphasized that the verdict was passed on merit, fulfilling all legal requirements. “The sentence was delivered in accordance with the law, and reputed legal analysts agree that the prosecution’s case was strong,” he remarked.
Tarar reiterated that the accused could appeal the decision, but they would need to prove that no sealed envelope was presented in the cabinet meeting, no misuse of funds occurred, and no property was built with the money.
The information minister concluded by describing the case as a significant milestone in exposing corruption in the country, stating that the government is committed to holding those involved accountable.
