- Tarar hopes other pending cases, particularly those related to the May 9 riots and Toshakhana II will be decided at the earliest
- PTI founder remains a convicted figure, undergoing punishment at Adiyala Jail in high-profile cases: Aqeel
ISLAMABAD: Key government aides on Thursday, while commenting on PTI founder’s bail in eight May 9 riots cases, said the grant of bail is a settled principle of law and should not be considered as acquittal, asserting Imran Khan remains a convict serving a sentence in high-profile cases, state media reported.
In a video statement on Thursday, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar emphasized that the trial against the PTI founder chairman is still ongoing. He said the entire nation witnessed his involvement in orchestrating the events of May 9, which aimed to destabilize the system, damage the economy, and harm the country.
Tarar asserted that the PTI founder is convicted in the 190 million pounds mega corruption case, one of the most significant scandals in the country’s history. He highlighted that the PTI founder was sentenced to 14 years in prison following a transparent trial based on substantial evidence. He added that the accused failed to justify in court why billions of rupees were transferred to Malik Riaz or under what legal grounds.
The Information Minister said PTI resorted to invoking the narrative of the “State of Medina” instead of presenting credible evidence. He criticized the party for using religious symbolism and the “Islamic touch” as a diversion from accountability.
He underscored that billions of rupees, which should have been received by the Government of Pakistan, were instead paid as fines. He questioned why the PTI founder and his spouse established the controversial Al-Qadir University Trust if their conduct was aboveboard.
The minister pointed out that the PTI-led former government secured cabinet approval through a sealed envelope. He noted that ministers who raised concerns about the envelope at the time were deliberately ignored. This sealed approval facilitated the misappropriation of 190 million pounds.
Tarar expressed hope that other pending cases, particularly those related to the May 9 riots, during which military installations were attacked and martyrs’ memorials desecrated, as well as the Toshakhana II case will be decided at the earliest.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik said the Supreme Court has granted bail to the PTI founder in eight cases, “but it does not mean that he has been acquitted of the charges.”
In his televised conversation, he said the trial of PTI founder in these cases is still ongoing, and it is not a final judgment.
“The grant of bail is a settled principle of law, and it should not be considered as acquittal,” the Minister of State emphasized, noting the “PTI founder remains a convicted figure, undergoing punishment at Adiyala Jail in high-profile cases, including the 190 million pound corruption case.”
