A Pakistani court has sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to 14 and seven years in prison respectively after convicting them of corruption related to a high-profile land deal, officials and Khan’s lawyer confirmed.
The case centres on allegations that Khan and his wife accepted a gift of land from real estate tycoon Malik Riaz in exchange for laundered money during Khan’s tenure as prime minister.
Prosecutors claim that Riaz used part of £190 million ($240 million) returned to Pakistan by British authorities in 2022 to pay fines imposed on him in a separate case. The funds, intended for the national treasury, were allegedly misappropriated.
Khan, who has been imprisoned since 2023 on various charges, denied the allegations, calling the accusations a politically motivated attempt to block his return to power. “This is a bogus case, and we will approach an appeals court against this decision,” said Omar Ayub Khan, a senior leader of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
Khan’s lawyer, Faisal Chaudhry, also expressed plans to challenge the verdict in higher courts, emphasising that the former prime minister had consistently maintained his innocence.
Shortly after the verdict, PTI lawmakers rallied outside parliament in Islamabad, accusing the government of orchestrating a campaign against Khan.
Meanwhile, supporters gathered outside Adiala Prison in Rawalpindi, chanting slogans demanding their leader’s release.
Khan’s legal troubles have mounted since his ouster in a no-confidence vote in April 2022. He has been convicted in three separate cases, including charges of corruption, revealing state secrets, and violating marriage laws, resulting in sentences of 10, 14, and seven years, respectively. Under Pakistani law, the longest sentence applies in cases of concurrent imprisonment.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar defended the court’s decision, stating there was “irrefutable evidence” against Khan and his wife. “Khan didn’t even inform his own Cabinet about the returned money and used it for personal gains,” Tarar alleged during a press briefing on Thursday.
He also claimed that Khan used illicit funds to construct a luxurious residence in Lahore but failed to provide a valid explanation for its financing.
The sentencing followed a key round of talks between PTI representatives and the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday.
The opposition party demanded the release of political detainees, including Khan, whom they argue has been unfairly targeted. Sharif, who assumed office after the February 2024 election—an election PTI alleges was rigged—has yet to respond to these demands.
Boluwatife Enome
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