The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by Omer Ayub, staged a protest outside parliament on Friday, condemning the sentencing of party founder Imran Khan in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case.

Declaring the day a “black day” in Pakistan’s judicial history, the PTI leaders vowed to challenge the decision in higher courts.

Addressing the media at the Parliament House Media Center, opposition leader Omer Ayub criticized the verdict, calling it “grave injustice.” He stated, “The founder of PTI and Bushra Bibi had no connection to the £190 million case. The funds were deposited into the Supreme Court’s account and later transferred to the national treasury, where the government earned profits. We will challenge this decision at all legal forums.” 

Senator Shibli Faraz, leader of the opposition in the Senate, added, “This judgment reflects judicial cruelty. The founder of PTI built institutions like Namal University and Shaukat Khanum Hospital and envisioned a university where Seeratun Nabi (PBUH) would be taught. Punishing someone for their vision is both unjust and excessive.”

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He dismissed the case as politically motivated. “This £190 million case is no different from the Toshakhana and Iddat cases. It is a frivolous decision in a frivolous case, and the higher courts will throw it out just like other baseless decisions,” he asserted.

Faraz emphasized PTI’s adherence to the constitution and rule of law. “Our leader is also steadfast. The government has not suffered any financial loss in this matter, yet this verdict has been engineered to target our leader,” he said.

Allama Nasir Abbas echoed similar sentiments, rejecting the verdict as “malicious and anti-people.” He stated, “The rulers do not care what is happening to the country. This decision has trampled on freedom. It is an attack on justice, and judges who issue such biased rulings are unfit to hold office.” 

Also Read: Where did £190 million come from and where did it go?

Advocate Faisal Chaudhry accused the judiciary of bias, saying, “From the beginning, the judge in this case has sought to deliver a predetermined verdict. There is no evidence of financial corruption. We will expose this bias of the judge and present condemnation resolutions across the globe.”

He further claimed that the courts have not been able to issue a decision according to the law.