Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to 14 years in prison in a corruption case involving a land deal. His wife, Bushra Bibi, has also been sentenced to seven years. The ruling comes as Khan remains imprisoned on other charges since 2023. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has denounced the verdict as politically motivated and plans to appeal the decision.
The case centers on accusations that Khan and his wife personally benefitted from land given to the Al-Qadir Trust, an organization they founded in 2018. Prosecutors allege that one of Pakistan’s wealthiest businessmen, Malik Riaz Hussain, gifted the land—worth millions of dollars—in exchange for favorable treatment during Khan’s tenure as prime minister from 2018 to 2022.
Authorities argue that Khan’s government allowed Hussain to settle legal fines with Pakistani authorities using funds—equivalent to GBP 190 million (EUR 225.1 million)—that had been seized from him by British authorities in a 2019 money laundering investigation. These funds were intended to be returned to Pakistan’s national treasury, but prosecutors claim they were instead used to benefit the Al-Qadir Trust.
Khan and his legal team insist that the trust was the only beneficiary of the land deal and that no wrongdoing took place. His party, PTI, has vowed to challenge the ruling in an appeals court. “This is a bogus case, and we will approach an appeals court against this decision,” said senior PTI leader Omar Ayub Khan.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar defended the ruling, claiming there was “irrefutable evidence” of corruption in what he called a “mega corruption scandal.” The sentencing of Khan and his wife comes just a day after PTI officials met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the potential release of Khan and other imprisoned party members.
The former cricket star-turned-politician has been a central figure in Pakistan’s political landscape, with his imprisonment sparking widespread unrest. His arrest in May 2023 led to mass protests across the country, with PTI supporters calling for his release.
While some charges against Khan have been suspended or overturned, others remain, including allegations of inciting supporters during last year’s demonstrations. His wife, Bushra Bibi, who had been out on bail, was taken into custody following the verdict.
As Khan’s legal team prepares for an appeal, the case continues to fuel political instability in Pakistan, with deep divisions between the government and PTI supporters. With national elections on the horizon, Khan’s fate remains uncertain, but his conviction further complicates the already volatile political climate.
Source: Euronews
