• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Imran Khan, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have been handed significant prison sentences following their conviction in a corruption case. The couple was sentenced on Friday by an anti-corruption court, with Khan receiving a 14-year sentence and Bibi a 7-year sentence, a ruling that marks a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s political landscape.

Khan, who once led Pakistan’s cricket team to glory, has been under detention since August 2023. He faces nearly 200 charges, but his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), maintains that the conviction is part of an ongoing effort to silence him and prevent his return to power.

Pakistani Judge Nasir Javed Rana, announcing the 14-year sentence for Khan and seven years for Bibi, remarked, "The prosecution has proven its case. Khan is convicted."

However, faith healer Bibi, who was recently released on bail, was arrested at the court after the conviction, according to her spokeswoman Mashal Yousafzai.

What is the land corruption case?

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have been found guilty of corruption in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case and sentenced to 14 and seven years in prison, respectively.

The case revolves around the Al-Qadir Trust, a welfare organisation established by the couple. The court found them guilty of misusing public funds amounting to £190 million (PKR 50 billion), which were returned to Pakistan by the UK’s National Crime Agency as part of a settlement with a property tycoon.

The funds were supposed to be used for national development but were allegedly diverted for personal gains, including the acquisition of 458 kanals of land for Al-Qadir University in Jhelum. As a trustee of the Al-Qadir Trust, Bushra Bibi is also accused of benefiting from this arrangement.

However, it is noteworthy that this case has been deferred multiple times.

Khan and Bibi have been prosecuted, while others, including the property tycoon, were out of the country.

Also Read: Saif Ali Khan's Son Ibrahim's Film Diler Shoot Put On Hold Amid Dad's Tragic Incident | Report

Verdict Delivered Amid Controversy

The verdict was announced by Judge Nasir Javed Rana in a makeshift court set up within Adiala Jail near Islamabad, where Khan has been detained. The case had faced several procedural delays, such as the absence of lawyers and accused parties during previous hearings.

Judge Rana stated, “The prosecution has proven its case. Khan is convicted.” Following the ruling, Bushra Bibi was arrested despite having recently been granted bail in another case.

The judgment comes after ongoing negotiations between the government and Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to address the political instability in the country due to the imprisonment of Khan and several other leaders of his party.

So far, three rounds of talks have been held, and the PTI has presented its charter of demands in writing to the government. Khan is facing dozens of cases after his ousting as prime minister in 2022. He has been jailed since August 2023.

Also Read: Apple Suspends AI News Summarization Feature After Misleading Alerts Spark Controversy

Khan’s Reaction to the Judgment

Imran Khan has maintained a defiant stance following the court's decision, declaring that he would not "make any deal or seek any relief." He said, "I will neither make any deal nor seek any relief."

However, Khan’s supporters, including PTI leaders, argue that the charges are politically motivated, part of a broader effort to undermine his political career

The conviction adds to Khan’s legal troubles, as he faces nearly 200 cases since his removal as prime minister in a 2022 no-confidence vote. In August 2023, he was sentenced to three years in prison in another corruption case, disqualifying him from participating in the general elections held later that year.

Former Pakistani cricketer and Prime Minister Imran Khan's 14-year jail sentence in a land corruption case is the latest in a series of ups and downs for the charismatic cricket star, who has been in prison for the last one-and-a-half years.

Khan, 72, has been fighting dozens of cases since he was ousted from power in a parliamentary vote of no confidence in 2022. He was sentenced to three years in jail in another corruption case in August 2023, which ruled him out of the general elections held months later.

 

Also In News