The Supreme Court of Pakistan has restored changes to the country’s anti-corruption laws, passed in 2022, after accepting the federal government’s appeal against a previous court ruling that had reversed these amendments. The decision is expected to benefit Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, who are facing charges in high-profile cases like the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case and the Toshakhana case.
The 16-page judgment, issued on Friday, is seen as a setback for efforts to hold public officials accountable for corruption. The National Accountability (Amendment) Act of 2022 limited the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) powers to handle cases involving more than Rs500 million in bribery. It also shortened the tenure of the NAB chairman and prosecutor general to three years and transferred ongoing investigations to other authorities. These amendments were passed during the first term of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition government.
Imran Khan, who was removed from office in 2022 through a vote of no-confidence, had challenged these changes, arguing they were meant to protect powerful individuals and would legitimize corruption.
With the amendments restored, Khan and Bushra Bibi could be cleared of charges in their cases. Khan may seek acquittal in two major corruption cases: one involving a £190 million bribe and another concerning the illegal sale of state gifts. Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party said the ruling could halt the Toshakhana case as it no longer meets the Rs500 million threshold, making it ineffective under the new laws.
Bushra Bibi May Benefit from Restored NAB Law Amendments, SC Ruling
