In a pivotal development for Pakistan’s political landscape, former Prime Minister Imran Khan was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Friday for corruption related to land deals during his tenure. An anti-graft court in Rawalpindi delivered the verdict inside the prison where Khan, 72, has been detained since August 2023.
His wife, Bushra Bibi, was also convicted and handed a seven-year sentence. Initially out on bail, Bibi was taken into custody after the judgment and placed in the same prison as Khan following a medical checkup, according to local media reports.
The court found Khan guilty of receiving land illegally during his premiership in exchange for political favors. Prosecutors linked the case to the Al-Qadir Trust, a welfare body established by the couple, alleging it served as a front to acquire 60 acres near Islamabad and other properties. The court ordered the confiscation of the land.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party denied the allegations, claiming the land was for a spiritual and educational institution. Khan and Bibi have both pleaded not guilty.
In a social media post from jail, Khan denounced the verdict as a “joke,” urging supporters to remain steadfast. “We will not make any deals and will face all false cases,” he stated.
The ruling comes amid fraught negotiations between PTI and the government aimed at easing political tensions. The talks have been complicated by Khan’s persistent allegations of electoral rigging following his ousting in April 2022 through a parliamentary vote of no confidence.
Analysts speculate that the government might offer legal relief to Khan in exchange for halting protests. However, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar suggested Khan could also seek clemency from Pakistan’s president.
Khan’s conviction follows a series of legal battles. While he has been acquitted or had sentences suspended in most cases, this judgment and another related to inciting violence on May 9, 2023, remain active. His supporters have led several violent demonstrations since his initial arrest.
The verdict marks a major setback for Khan and PTI, which performed unexpectedly well in the 2024 general election but failed to secure a majority.
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