Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan Sentenced to 14 Years in Landmark Graft Case

In a landmark decision, a Pakistan court on Friday sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan to 14 years in prison on graft charges. His wife, Bushra Bibi, was also convicted in the same case and handed a seven-year prison term.

Judge Nasir Javed Rana, presiding over the anti-graft court, announced the verdict, stating, “The prosecution has proven its case. Khan is convicted.” The sentencing took place in a special court convened inside the jail near Islamabad, where Khan has been detained since August 2023.

The convictions pertain to the Al-Qadir Trust, a welfare foundation established by the couple. Prosecutors accused them of misusing funds and committing financial irregularities linked to the trust.

Khan, who faces nearly 200 legal cases, has repeatedly claimed the charges are politically motivated and aimed at barring him from regaining political office. Despite his imprisonment, he continues to be a prominent figure in Pakistan’s political landscape.

Bushra Bibi, recently released from jail after a previous sentence was suspended, was present at the prison court for the hearing. AFP journalists observed her arriving at the venue on Friday morning.

This high-profile conviction marks a significant development in Pakistan’s ongoing political and judicial turbulence, with potential implications for the country’s political future. (AFP)

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