ISLAMABAD – A Pakistani accountability court on Wednesday sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to 17 years in prison in a corruption case involving state gifts. The verdict, handed down by Judge Muhammad Bashir inside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, also includes a lifetime disqualification from holding public office for the 71-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician.
The case revolves around allegations that Khan and his spouse unlawfully retained expensive state gifts received during his tenure as prime minister from 2018 to 2022. The prosecution argued that these items, valued at more than 140 million Pakistani rupees, were not properly declared and constituted assets beyond their known sources of income. Khan has consistently denied any wrongdoing, calling the charges politically motivated and part of a wider effort to sideline him from the country’s political landscape.
Legal experts note that this conviction adds to the former premier’s mounting legal troubles. Khan has been embroiled in multiple cases since his ouster from power in a no-confidence vote in April 2022. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has been significantly weakened, with many leaders arrested or forced to resign. The timing of this sentence is particularly significant as Pakistan prepares for fresh elections, raising questions about the fairness of the electoral process and the role of the judiciary.
The court’s decision was announced shortly after Khan appeared before the judge in the high-security prison where he is currently being held. Supporters of the former prime minister, gathered outside the facility, reacted with anger and disbelief, chanting slogans against the ruling coalition and the military establishment. Clashes between police and Khan’s followers have erupted in several cities, leading to arrests and heightened security measures.
Human rights organizations and international observers have expressed concern over the proceedings, citing lack of transparency and due process. The speed of the trial and the closed-door nature of the hearings have drawn criticism, with some analysts suggesting that the judiciary’s independence may be compromised. However, authorities maintain that the process is lawful and that Khan’s rights have been respected throughout the investigation and trial.
This sentence deals a severe blow to Khan’s political comeback hopes, as the lifetime ban effectively ends his career as an elected official. His party has announced that it will challenge the verdict in higher courts, including the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Whether this legal battle will further polarize an already divided nation remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly marks a critical juncture in Pakistan’s turbulent political history.
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