A Pakistani court on Friday sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife to 14 and seven years in prison, respectively, for corruption, according to officials and Khan’s lawyer. This adds to the former premier’s existing imprisonment, which began in 2023.
The charges stem from allegations that the couple accepted land as a gift from a businessman in exchange for illicit funds during Khan’s time in office.
Prosecutors allege that this businessman, Malik Riaz, subsequently used laundered money – part of £190 million ($240 million) returned to Pakistan by British authorities in 2022 – to pay fines imposed in another case. This money should have been deposited into the national treasury.
Khan maintains his innocence, claiming since his 2023 arrest that the charges are politically motivated to prevent his return to power.
Khan’s legal team reported that he laughed, and his wife, Bushra Bibi, smiled upon hearing the verdict. Following the announcement, both were taken into custody. Bibi, who had previously served time in another corruption case before being released on bail in October, recently led a rally advocating for her husband’s release.
A subsequent post on Khan’s X account urged supporters to remain calm. The verdict also resulted in the government seizing al-Qadir University, built by Bibi’s charity.
“I will never accept this dictatorship and I will stay in the prison cell for as long as I have to in the struggle against this dictatorship, but I will not compromise on my principles and the struggle for the true freedom of the nation,” Khan wrote. His family confirmed the post was authorized.
Defense lawyer Faisal Chaudhry stated that the verdict is appealable in higher courts.
Following the verdict, members of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party protested outside parliament, denouncing the conviction.
“This is a bogus case, and we will approach an appeals court against this decision,” said Omar Ayub Khan, a senior PTI leader (unrelated to the former prime minister).
Imran Khan, removed from office via a no-confidence vote in April 2022, has faced previous convictions for corruption, revealing state secrets, and violating marriage laws, receiving sentences of 10, 14, and seven years respectively. Under Pakistani law, he will serve the longest sentence.
Supporters gathered outside Adiala prison in Rawalpindi, protesting the government and demanding Khan’s release.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated on Thursday that irrefutable evidence exists against Khan and his wife in this “mega corruption scandal,” claiming Khan concealed the returned funds from his own cabinet.
Tarar further alleged that Khan built a new house in Lahore after favoring the businessman and couldn’t account for its funding.
This follows talks between Khan’s PTI party and the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, concerning the release of political prisoners, including Khan and other PTI leaders. Sharif assumed office following the February 2024 election, which PTI alleges was rigged.