A Pakistani court has sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison for their involvement in the sale of state gifts. The verdict, delivered on March 15, 2024, follows a conviction for retaining and selling these gifts while Khan was in office. Both Khan and Bibi pleaded not guilty during their indictment last year.
The prosecution accused the couple of selling gifts, which included valuable jewelry from the government of Saudi Arabia, at prices significantly lower than their market value. Prosecutors indicated that the couple had declared the value of these gifts at just over $10,000, whereas the actual market value was around $285,521. This disparity allowed them to acquire the items at a drastically reduced price.
Khan’s attorney, Salman Safdar, announced plans to appeal the ruling, emphasizing the couple’s innocence. Under Pakistani law, government officials are required to purchase gifts received from foreign dignitaries at assessed market value and disclose any profits made from selling them.
Reactions to the Sentencing
Khan’s spokesperson, Zulfiquar Bukhari, criticized the ruling, claiming it violated fundamental principles of justice. In a statement, he argued that the court had imposed criminal liability without sufficient evidence of intent or gain, suggesting that the process had been manipulated for political reasons. Bukhari characterized the trial as unfair, highlighting that Khan’s family was denied access to the courtroom during the verdict announcement.
The political landscape in Pakistan has reacted strongly to the ruling. Khan’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), condemned the sentence as a “black chapter in history.” A PTI statement indicated that Khan was present in Adiala prison in Rawalpindi when the verdict was read. Senior PTI leader Omar Ayub expressed on social media that the lack of rule of law in Pakistan was evident through this trial.
Conversely, Pakistan’s Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, defended the court’s decision, asserting that the evidence presented was substantial and that the couple’s actions constituted corruption. He stated that the ruling was fair and in accordance with the law.
Khan’s Political Background
Imran Khan, aged 73, was removed from office following a no-confidence vote in April 2022. Since then, he has maintained a significant support base, despite his party’s defeat in the recent parliamentary elections held on February 8, 2024. Although the PTI performed well in the elections, it failed to secure a majority in the National Assembly, leading to allegations of electoral fraud, which the government has denied.
Khan’s primary political rival, Shehbaz Sharif, currently serves as Prime Minister. Following his ouster, Khan has repeatedly claimed that his removal was orchestrated by a conspiracy involving the United States and supported by Pakistan’s military. Both the U.S. and military officials have denied these allegations.
Since 2023, Khan has faced multiple prison terms due to various corruption charges. His supporters assert that these convictions are part of a broader strategy to hinder his political career.
