Court sentences prominent ex-PM to 14 years imprisonment

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In a case involving land corruption, a Pakistani court sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan to 14 years in prison on Friday.

An anti-graft court in a prison in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, where Khan has been detained since August 2023, handed out the ruling, which is reportedly the biggest financial misconduct charge Khan has ever faced.

During his 2018–2022 reign, the 72-year-old former cricket player was indicted on allegations that a real estate developer gave him and his spouse land in exchange for unlawful favors.

Khan entered a not guilty plea together with Bushra Bibi, his wife.

However, the announcement of the decision was postponed three times, most recently on Monday, after negotiations between Khan’s party and the government.

According to information obtained by journalists, Bushra Bibi, a woman in her late 40s who was out on bail, was arrested after being found guilty in the case as well.

“Whilst we wait for the detailed decision, it’s important to note that the Al Qadir Trust case against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi lacks any solid foundation and is bound to collapse,” said the foreign media wing of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party in a statement.

The ruling is considered to be the largest blow to Khan and his party since their unexpectedly impressive showing in the general election of 2024, when their candidates, who were compelled to run as independents, took the most seats but were unable to get the majority required to form a government.

Following his resignation from government in April 2022 due to a parliamentary vote of confidence, Khan has been facing dozens of prosecutions since August 2023, ranging from accusations of bribery and abuse of power to inciting violence against the state.

With the exception of one case in which he was charged with inciting supporters to march through military installations in protest of his arrest on May 9, 2023, he has generally been acquitted or had his sentences suspended.

Since the events of May 9, his supporters have organized a number of violent protest demonstrations.

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