Pakistan sentences Imran Khan to 14 years in prison for corruption

ISLAMABAD,— A Pakistani court sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan to 14 years in prison on Friday, convicting him in a high-profile land corruption case. The decision is a significant blow to ongoing efforts to ease political tensions in the South Asian nation, where his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has been at odds with the government.

The ruling was issued by an anti-corruption court convened inside a prison in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, where Khan has been held since August 2023.

His wife, Bushra Bibi, was also found guilty and sentenced to seven years. According to Geo News, she was taken into custody after the verdict and transferred to the same prison following a medical examination.

In the detailed judgment shared by PTI, the court declared Khan guilty of corruption and implicated his wife in “aiding, assisting, and abetting” his actions. PTI aide Omar Ayub announced plans to appeal the verdict, while government officials hailed the decision as a victory for justice.

Khan, 72, was charged with receiving land as a bribe during his tenure as prime minister from 2018 to 2022. Prosecutors alleged that a real estate developer transferred 60 acres (24 hectares) near Islamabad and an additional plot close to Khan’s hilltop residence to a trust established by Khan and his wife, the Al-Qadir Trust. Authorities claim the trust served as a front for illicit transactions.

Both Khan and Bushra Bibi pleaded not guilty, maintaining that the land was intended for a spiritual and educational institution, not personal gain. The court, however, ordered the confiscation of the disputed properties.

In a social media post shared via his account on X, Khan called the conviction a “joke” and urged his supporters to remain calm. “I will stay in the prison cell for as long as necessary in the fight against this dictatorship,” the message read. “We will not make deals or bow to false charges.”

The court delayed announcing the verdict multiple times, most recently on Monday, amid reconciliation talks between PTI and the government. Observers speculated that the discussions might involve legal concessions for Khan in exchange for a halt to his party’s protests.

Khan has faced numerous legal challenges since his removal from office in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022.

Though acquitted or granted bail in many cases, he remains imprisoned on this conviction and separate charges related to inciting violence following his arrest on May 9, 2023. His supporters staged violent demonstrations after the May incident, targeting military facilities and government properties.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar stated that Khan could still file a mercy petition with Pakistan’s president. The verdict also comes after PTI’s strong performance in the 2024 elections, where party-backed independent candidates won the most seats but failed to secure a majority.

(With files from Reuters)