Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were found guilty on Friday (January 17) in one of the country’s largest corruption cases.
According to AFP, the anti-corruption court sentenced Khan to 14 years in prison and Bibi to seven years for their roles in a corruption case tied to the Al-Qadir Trust, a charitable organization they co-founded. The verdict was delivered during a special court session held in the prison where Khan has been detained since August 2023.
“The prosecution has proven its case. Khan is convicted,” said Judge Nasir Javed Rana, announcing the sentences for the couple. Bushra Bibi, who had recently been released on bail in a separate case, was rearrested immediately after the verdict.
Political Fallout and Allegations
According to Liputan6, Imran Khan who detained and convicted with 200 legal cases, has maintained that all charges against him are politically motivated. Speaking to reporters from the courtroom, Imran Khan declared, “I will not make any deals or seek leniency.”
His political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has vowed to challenge the ruling, calling it a deliberate attempt to force Khan out of politics.
The conviction comes a day after rare talks between PTI and government officials aimed at easing Pakistan’s tense political environment, which has been further destabilized by the case.
Imran Khan’s Defiance
Khan has accused the ruling coalition of orchestrating the cases against him to prevent his return to power. Khan has faced four convictions since his arrest, two of which were overturned, while sentences in two other cases were suspended.
However, he remains in prison over the Al-Qadir Trust case, the longest-running charge against him, as well as allegations of incitement to protest.
Court rulings in the Al-Qadir Trust case have been delayed three times, with analysts suggesting behind-the-scenes negotiations are underway.
Earlier this month, Khan’s team posted a statement on social media in which the former leader claimed he had been “indirectly approached” with an offer of house arrest at his sprawling residence on the outskirts of the capital.
Despite the overture, Khan rejected the possibility, issuing sharp criticisms of the government and vowing to fight the charges in court.
Analysts say Pakistan’s military remains the ultimate power broker in the country, though senior generals have consistently denied interfering in political affairs.
Barred from Elections
The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention last year determined that Imran Khan imprisonment lacked legal justification and appeared designed to disqualify him from contesting political office.
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However, Khan is barred from running in Pakistan’s February general elections, and PTI has faced widespread crackdowns. While PTI won more seats than any other party in the last election, a coalition of parties seen as more aligned with the military prevented them from taking power.
Growing Unrest
Since his ouster, Imran Khan political fortunes have been on a downward trajectory, but his ability to galvanize public support remains a challenge for his opponents. The conviction and imprisonment of both Khan and his wife are expected to further inflame his supporters and heighten tensions across the country.
(Raidi/Agung)
