Islamabad, August 19, 2024 – The Islamabad High Court has issued a significant ruling, preventing the accountability court from delivering its final verdict in the ongoing £190 million NAB reference.

The trial, however, will continue as the case progresses. The decision was made by Justices Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Babar Sattar.

The high court’s directive comes as the case reaches its final stages, with the trial initially expected to conclude this week. The petitioner, believed to be affiliated with PTI, argued that a previous NAB inquiry into the case was closed in 2020, only to be reopened later.

The reopened investigation led to the filing of charges against the PTI leader and Bushra Bibi, while other involved individuals have not faced similar action.

The court has postponed further proceedings until Wednesday, instructing NAB to submit its response. The final determination on whether the stay order will remain in effect is expected following NAB’s submission.

This development is a crucial step in a case that has garnered significant attention, with the £190 million reference being one of the most prominent cases under the NAB’s purview.