31-1-2024 (ISLAMABAD) Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife have been sentenced to 14 years in jail after being found guilty of graft in a case involving gifts received during his tenure as premier. The verdict, delivered just a week before national elections, comes on the heels of Khan’s recent 10-year prison sentence for leaking state secrets.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by Khan, expressed disappointment with the decision, describing it as another dark day in the country’s judicial system. The party’s spokesman highlighted concerns about the dismantling of the justice system.
The precise nature of the sentencing, whether consecutive or concurrent, remains unclear. The trial took place within the confines of the jail where Khan has been detained since his arrest in August. Khan’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, confirmed that both Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, had been sentenced. However, Bibi has not yet been arrested.
Khan and Bibi tied the knot in 2018, just months before Khan assumed office as prime minister. Bibi, known as a faith healer, has largely remained out of the public eye.
With national elections approaching, approximately 127 million eligible voters will cast their ballots next Thursday. Despite the legal challenges faced by Khan and the PTI, they continue to be a central part of the political discourse. The election has already been marred by allegations of rigging, and Khan himself was barred from running due to a previous graft conviction. Additionally, his party has faced significant crackdowns.
Since being ousted in 2022, Khan has faced a slew of court cases, which he claims are politically motivated to prevent his return to power. He had previously accused the powerful military, with whom he formed a partnership during his tenure, of orchestrating his removal in a conspiracy backed by the United States.
Khan’s arrest in May 2023 led to widespread riots across the country. However, a subsequent military crackdown resulted in the detention of thousands of his supporters, while many senior leaders were forced into hiding.
Reacting to his 10-year sentence, Khan urged his followers to seek justice through their votes. He urged them to demonstrate that they are not easily swayed and that their voices cannot be silenced.
