16-8-2023 (ISLAMABAD) Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s legal battle continues as the Islamabad High Court is scheduled to review his plea for the suspension of a three-year prison sentence on corruption charges. Khan’s lawyer, Naeem Panjutha, confirmed that the application for suspending the conviction is slated for August 22. Khan was recently imprisoned following a corruption conviction that also resulted in his political disqualification for five years, barring him from participating in the upcoming general election scheduled for later this year.
Imran Khan, renowned for his cricket career before entering politics, vigorously denies the allegations, asserting that they are a strategic maneuver by his political rivals to sideline him from the election process.
Panjutha expressed optimism that the Islamabad High Court will grant bail to Khan during the hearing. The court’s decision holds considerable significance for Khan’s legal standing and political future.
The former prime minister, aged 70, has been a focal point of Pakistan’s political landscape. His ousting in a no-confidence vote last year raised concerns about the nation’s stability, particularly amidst economic challenges and natural calamities.
Khan’s corruption conviction revolves around allegations of illicitly trading state gifts acquired by his family during his tenure as prime minister from 2018 to 2022. These charges are vehemently contested by Khan, who has cast them as an attempt by Pakistan’s influential military to curtail his political aspirations. The military, which has historically wielded a significant role in shaping Pakistan’s political trajectory, refutes any interference in the matter.
Amidst the legal proceedings, Khan’s legal team and political party have highlighted concerns about his living conditions while in detention at a prison near Islamabad. Given his status as a former prime minister, they argue that the current conditions are unsuitable. Authorities have acknowledged Khan’s right to address these issues through the legal system, affording him the opportunity to seek improved conditions.
