Former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to three years in jail by an Islamabad court on corruption charges. The conviction will prevent Khan, who claims the prosecution is politically motivated, from running in the upcoming elections later this year.
Judge Humayun Dilawar declared in court that Khan, 70, had deliberately submitted fake details. He was accused of illegally profiting from the sale of gifts received while serving as Pakistan’s head of state between 2018 and 2022. In addition to the custodial term, the judge also banned Khan from politics for five years.
Khan, who was not present in court, was arrested at his home in Lahore and taken into police custody. His lawyer, Intezar Hussain Panjutha, called the claims against the former prime minister a case of political victimization.
Following the verdict, Khan released a pre-recorded statement urging his supporters to not remain silent. He stated, “I have only one appeal, don’t sit at home silently.”
Khan’s lawyer, Gohar Khan, criticized the court’s verdict, describing it as a “murder of justice.” He also argued that Khan was not given a fair trial and was not provided an opportunity to defend himself or present witnesses in his favor.
Outside the court building, opponents of the former politician celebrated the judgment, chanting, “Imran Khan is a thief.”
Since his removal from office last April after a no-confidence vote, Khan, a former cricket star turned populist political figure, has faced more than 150 cases. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Unless his appeal is successful, Khan’s conviction will prohibit him from participating in Pakistan’s general elections, scheduled for October or November. Khan had previously called for early elections but was unsuccessful in his attempts. He has repeatedly accused Pakistan’s military authorities of trying to impede his Tehreek-e-Insaf party’s return to power.
This is not the first time Khan has been arrested in recent months. In May, around 100 paramilitary troops detained him in connection with one of the multiple cases against him. Khan has alleged that Pakistan’s military is behind attempts to suppress his political influence and has also claimed that the United States conspired with the government to prevent his return to power.
The court’s verdict and Khan’s subsequent arrest have sparked a debate about the independence of Pakistan’s judiciary and the role of the military in the country’s politics. Supporters of Khan argue that he is a victim of political persecution, while his opponents view the judgment as a necessary step towards combating corruption in the country.
With the upcoming elections approaching, the absence of Khan as a potential candidate will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the political landscape of Pakistan. His conviction raises questions about the future of his party and the potential for a power shift in the country.
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