A court in Pakistan has convicted former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in a significant corruption case, sentencing Khan to 14 years in prison and Bibi to seven years. The couple was found guilty in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust, a welfare foundation they established, which has been accused of causing substantial financial loss to the national treasury.

 

Khan has been in custody since August 2023 and faces around 200 charges, but his party claims this latest conviction is an attempt to silence him. After the verdict, Khan stated, "I will neither make any deal nor seek any relief," asserting his determination to fight the charges against him.

 

The anti-graft court convened at Adiala Jail, where Khan is being held, and Judge Nasir Javed Rana announced the convictions. The prosecution successfully demonstrated its case against the couple, leading to the sentences and fines of 1 million rupees for Khan and 500,000 rupees for Bibi. Bibi was arrested immediately after the ruling.

 

Khan maintains that these legal challenges are politically motivated efforts to prevent his return to power. Analysts suggest that the timing of the sentence may be intended to pressure him into negotiating with the military regarding his political future.