Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Pervez Khattak on Wednesday testified in the jail trial of party founder Imran Khan in the £190 million corruption case, with the former prime minister deriding the testimony as “nothing special.”
Ahead of the Feb. 8 general elections, Khattak had parted ways with the PTI and formed the since-abandoned PTI-Parliamentarians. During Khan’s time as prime minister he served as the defense minister and allegedly approved a confidential deed to transfer money seized by the U.K. to Bahria Town owner Malik Riaz as part of the federal cabinet.
The former PTI leader’s testimony lasted nearly 15 minutes. He informed accountability judge Mohammad Ali Warriach that the cabinet had approved the confidential deed without examining it, adding it was done at the urging of then-accountability adviser Mirza Shahzad Akbar. He claimed that when he sought information about the document from Akbar he was told that it was an agreement between the Pakistani government and U.K.’s National Crime Agency for the refund of proceeds secured through criminal activities.
Khattak claimed several cabinet members had inquired about the contents of the document, but were told it must remain confidential. Following his testimony, Khattak was allowed to depart, as the defense counsel said they would cross-examine him with other members of the federal cabinet at a subsequent hearing. The case was then adjourned until July 13.
Speaking with journalists after the hearing, Khan said he would withhold comments until after the cross-examination. However, during the testimony, he appeared to indicate Khattak’s views favored his case and damaged the prosecution.
The PTI founder also reiterated his call for fresh, transparent elections to steer Pakistan out of its prevailing crises. He claimed dialogue could only be initiated with the establishment, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is a “puppet” propped up to cut ribbons and sign documents. He also continued his criticism of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, who he has sought the recusal of from all cases concerning him and the PTI.