Imran Khan Jailed for 14 Years Amid Political Turmoil

The convictions, which occurred only days before parliamentary elections, are considered to be a part of the ongoing conflict in the unstable Western ally between civilian officials and the strong military.

Dive into the unfolding political drama in Pakistan as former Prime Minister Imran Khan receives a 14-year jail sentence for corruption, heightening the country’s political turmoil.

ISLAMABAD — The former prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, suffered yet another setback on Wednesday when he was convicted guilty of corruption and given a 14-year sentence. This comes just days before his political movement seeks to win back control of parliament.

It was his worst conviction to date and his second in as many days. It was perceived as a continuation of the protracted conflict between the strong military and civilian leaders in the unstable Western ally.

When Khan was in power, he and his wife, Bushra Bibi, who was also found guilty on Wednesday, were charged with keeping and selling gifts from the state against the law. In addition to his prison term, Khan was disqualified from holding any public office for 10 years.

Babar Awan, the former premier’s attorney, denied the conviction, arguing that Khan’s fundamental rights were violated and that the judge acted hastily to condemn the former premier without waiting for the arrival of his legal team.

Khan, who started to question the nation’s military in the final days of his prime, was removed from office in an April 2022 no-confidence vote. Over 150 court lawsuits are currently pending against him.

Still, the former cricket star remains intensely popular. Pakistan saw violent demonstrations — including ones that targeted military installations — after Khan’s arrest last year.

Many of his party’s candidates have been disqualified from running in the parliamentary elections scheduled for February 8th, and authorities have since clamped down on his supporters and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, making it doubtful that any more rallies will take place.

When it comes to elections, Pakistan has a record of detaining or suspending former prime ministers who are thought to be a threat to the security establishment, which has always had considerable influence over civilian politics. Since the nation separated from Britain in 1947, more than two thirds of its civilian leaders have been detained, found guilty, or removed from office.

Analyst Azim Chaudhry, however, noted that even with this background, Khan’s convictions came one after the other unusually quickly—three in around six months.

Chaudhry, an independent analyst based in Islamabad, stated that “the message is Imran Khan will remain behind bars for a longer time if he does not change his rhetoric against the country’s institutions.”

While Khan is engaged in legal disputes, Nawaz Sharif, the previous prime minister, is poised to secure a fourth term in government. Although Sharif was personally crippled by court battles and prison terms, the Supreme Court and other courts cleared him of all accusations and lifted the lifetime prohibition on politicians with criminal records from running for office.

Following Khan’s overthrow, Sharif’s party took power, and Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-haq Kakar is currently leading a caretaker government that is in charge of daily operations.

There have been a few sporadic attacks during election rallies, despite Kakar’s assurances that free and fair elections will be held in a peaceful setting. Rehan Zeb, a candidate for Khan’s party, was shot and killed on Wednesday in the Bajur district in northwest Pakistan. Four individuals lost their lives the day before when a roadside bomb detonated close to supporters of Khan’s party in the Baluchistan province in the southwest.

Three weeks ago, Khan and Bibi were charged with buying gifts from the Saudi Arabian government at discounted rates and reselling them at market value. The presents included jewelry and watches. They pleaded not guilty.

Government officials in Pakistan are permitted to purchase presents from foreign dignitaries and heads of state, but they are typically not resold. If so, the profits have to be disclosed. According to the prosecution, Khan failed to accurately declare his earnings from the sale of presents.

The pair was fined 787 million rupees ($2.8 million) apiece in addition to their prison sentences.

Khan was found guilty of disclosing state secrets on Tuesday, and he was already serving a three-year sentence for corruption. The three sentences will be completed simultaneously. Khan was also given a 10-year sentence.

The chief spokesman for Khan’s party, Zulfiqar Bukhari, described Wednesday’s decision as “another sad day in our judicial system history which is being dismantled” in a statement.

The attorney, Awan, predicted that higher courts will review the most recent decision.

When the judge delivered the verdict, Bibi wasn’t there, but she eventually appeared in court to escape being taken into custody. She will be turned over to prison authorities so they can carry out her sentence.

Conclusion

Imran Khan’s conviction and imprisonment mark a significant development in Pakistan’s political landscape, reflecting the ongoing power struggle between civilian officials and the military. As the country grapples with political turmoil, the outcome of Khan’s legal battles and the upcoming elections will shape its future trajectory.