Imran Khan seeks concession after SC verdict in NAB laws case

PTI founder chairman Imran Khan has filed an acquittal plea in an accountability court hearing the 190 million pounds reference against him at Adiala Jail of Rawalpindi, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The plea was submitted in court on Saturday under the Supreme Court’s latest decision restoring amendments to NAB laws.

Accountability court judge Nasir Javed Rana issued notices to the respondents and fixed September 10 for hearing.

Imran Khan and wife Bushra Bibi were produced in the courtroom on Saturday and their lawyers also submitted a copy of the apex court’s verdict in the accountability court and sought acquittal in the case.

Imran Khan’s lawyer argued that the 190 million pounds reference stands no ground following SC decision in NAB laws case.

Imran Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, has already submitted a separate application for acquittal related to the same reference. The founder's legal representative argued that this petition should be considered alongside Bushra Bibi's application.

NAB lawyers contended that the court has jurisdiction over the case and that the reference should be heard in its entirety. They argued that the recent Supreme Court decision does not impact this case and that the defence should have first challenged the jurisdiction before considering acquittal.

NAB lawyers further stressed that if the court lacks jurisdiction, it cannot proceed with an acquittal.

In response, the court issued a notice to NAB regarding the acquittal plea and adjourned the hearing until September 10. 

On Friday, the Supreme Court had restored the amendments to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) laws, approving the federal government's intra-court appeal against the nullification of the amendments.

The verdict, delivered by a five-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, overturned the prior decision of a two-member bench that had invalidated the amendments.

The Supreme Court noted that legislation of parliament should not be declared null and void without a reason, which also did not mean that the legislation should not be annulled even if it is against the Constitution. "If a legislation is against the Constitution, the court can declare it null and void," the SC declared.

Reporter Ershad Qureshi