In a landmark verdict, a Pakistani court convicted and sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison on Saturday. The decision followed accusations that the couple had retained and sold state gifts, including jewelry from Saudi Arabia’s government, at prices far below their market value while Khan was in office.
Charges and Evidence
Prosecutors presented evidence that Khan and Bibi declared the value of the gifts at a little over $10,000, a figure that was dramatically lower than the actual market value of $285,521. By doing so, they were able to purchase the items at a reduced price and later sell them for a profit. The court found that this conduct violated Pakistani law, which requires officials to buy such gifts at assessed market value and to declare any proceeds earned from selling them.
Legal Response
Khan’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, announced that he would appeal the ruling on behalf of both the former premier and his wife. In contrast, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar defended the verdict, stating that the court had examined solid evidence and that the couple had indeed engaged in corruption. He said the court had delivered a fair decision.
Party and Public Reaction
Khan’s spokesperson, Zulfiquar Bukhari, criticized the sentencing as ignoring basic principles of justice. He said the criminal liability was imposed without proof of intent, gain, or loss, and that the court had relied on a retrospective reinterpretation of rules. Bukhari added that the ruling raised serious questions about fairness and impartiality, turning justice into selective prosecution.
The opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) denounced the ruling as “a black chapter in history.” PTI said Khan was present in the Adiala prison courtroom in Rawalpindi when the judge announced the verdict. On its official X account, the party claimed that Khan’s family was not allowed access to the court when the verdict was read, describing the trial as “neither free nor fair” and, “in fact, a military Trial.” PTI senior leader Omar Ayub echoed this sentiment on X, saying there was “no rule of law in Pakistan.”
Political Context
Khan, 73, was ousted in a no-confidence vote in April 2022 and has since spent multiple prison terms on corruption convictions and other charges that supporters say are aimed at blocking his political career. His party made a strong showing in the February 8, 2024 parliamentary election, but did not win a majority of seats in the National Assembly. PTI claimed the vote was rigged, a claim denied by the government. Shehbaz Sharif, who succeeded Khan as prime minister, remains in power. Since his removal, Khan has alleged that his ouster was the result of a U.S.-backed conspiracy carried out with the support of Pakistan’s powerful military-a claim denied by Washington, the military, and his opponents.
Key Takeaways
- Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 17 years for selling state gifts below market value.
- The verdict was defended by the Information Ministry as evidence-based and fair.
- PTI and Khan’s spokesperson decried the ruling as unjust, citing lack of proof and selective prosecution.
The sentencing marks a significant moment in Pakistan’s political landscape, highlighting deep divisions over accountability, the rule of law, and the ongoing struggle between former leaders and the current government.
