- Imran Khan Sentenced to Three Years in Prison on Corruption Charges
- Denies Allegations and Plans to Appeal, Taken Into Detention
- Impact on Pakistani Politics as Parliament Dissolves and Interim Government Takes Over
Former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to three years in prison on corruption charges.
A court in Islamabad found him culpable of failing to report income from the sale of state gifts. He denies the allegations and declares his intent to appeal.
Mr. Khan was taken into detention from his Lahore residence following the verdict.
Mr. Khan was elected in 2018, but he was removed from office in a motion of no confidence in 2017 after falling out with the powerful military.
In addition, the court imposed a fine of 100,000 rupees (approximately $451).
As the court’s decision was announced, the audience, which included some prosecutors, began chanting “Imran Khan is a thief” in front of the courthouse.
Since his removal from office in April 2022, Mr. Khan has been hit with more than a hundred allegations, which he claims are politically motivated.
He had evaded arrest for months, his supporters at times engaging in pitched confrontations with police to prevent his capture.
Mr. Khan was detained in May for failing to appear in court as requested. He was then released after the detention was deemed unlawful.
Since then, the authorities have exerted intense pressure on his party, Tehreek-e-Insaf.
As a result of the protests that followed Mr. Khan’s detention, many high-ranking officials have resigned and thousands of his supporters have been arrested.
Pakistan’s army plays a prominent role in politics, seizing power in military coups and manipulating strings behind the scenes on other occasions.
Many analysts believe Mr. Khan’s 2018 election victory was aided by the military.
As a member of the opposition, he has been one of the army’s most vocal critics, and analysts report that the army’s popularity has declined.
Since being removed from office, Mr. Khan has campaigned for early elections.
Mr. Khan would be permanently disqualified from running for office if he were convicted.
On August 9, Pakistan’s parliament will be dissolved, and an interim government will assume power until the next election.
No election date has been proclaimed, even though by law they must be held by early November.
