Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after being found guilty of corruption, adding another chapter to his troubled legal and political journey. Khan, who was ousted from office in 2022, and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were convicted for accepting a gift of land from real estate tycoon Malik Riaz in exchange for laundered money during his time in power.
Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, has also been sentenced to seven years in prison for her role in the case. Both Khan and his wife were accused of facilitating the laundering of approximately £190 million, which was returned to Pakistan by British authorities in 2022. Prosecutors claim the money, initially deposited to the national exchequer, was redirected by Khan and Riaz to settle fines imposed on the tycoon.
The case against Khan
Khan, who led Pakistan from 2018 until his ousting in 2022, has denied all charges and maintains that the accusations are politically motivated. According to Khan, the corruption charges are part of a concerted effort by his political rivals, including the military establishment, to keep him from making a political comeback. His legal team has argued that the case is a fabricated attempt to discredit his reputation and prevent him from regaining political power.
Since his arrest in 2023, Khan has faced multiple charges in various cases, including accusations of revealing official secrets and violating marriage laws. His multiple convictions, spanning corruption and other charges, have led to a series of prison sentences, but under Pakistani law, they are to be served concurrently, meaning Khan will serve the longest sentence, which in this case is 14 years.
Political drama and mass protests
The 72-year-old former cricket star’s fall from political grace has been one of the most dramatic in Pakistan’s history. Khan’s rise to power in 2018 was seen as a break from the traditional dynastic politics of the country, and he enjoyed widespread popular support, particularly among Pakistanis who grew up watching him lead the national cricket team to victory in the 1992 World Cup.
However, Khan’s tenure as prime minister became increasingly turbulent. His government faced soaring inflation, crippling debt, and a depreciating rupee, all of which undermined his vision of a national welfare state. His critics, including opposition parties and human rights organisations, accused him of stifling dissent and cracking down on media freedoms, with opposition leaders and journalists facing harassment.
The latter part of Khan’s term was marked by his deteriorating relationship with Pakistan’s powerful military establishment. Khan, once backed by the military, found himself increasingly at odds with the generals, who had long played a kingmaker role in the country’s politics. In April 2022, Khan was ousted from office in a no-confidence vote, which many saw as a result of pressure from the military.
A legacy in crisis
Despite his fall from grace, Khan remains a significant political figure, and his supporters continue to rally behind him. His legal battles have become a focal point for the nation’s political discourse, with mass protests and demonstrations erupting in various parts of the country. The political landscape in Pakistan has become increasingly polarised, with Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party leading the charge against what they view as a politically biased legal system.
Khan’s first arrest in May 2023 sparked nationwide unrest, some of which targeted military installations, leading to a heavy crackdown on PTI supporters. Khan was later shot in a failed assassination attempt in November 2022, an event he blamed on senior military officials. The assassination attempt marked a dramatic turning point, as Khan’s allegations against the military crossed a red line in Pakistan, a country where the military has long held significant influence over political affairs.
What lies ahead for Khan and Pakistan?
Despite the heavy legal setbacks, Pakistan’s political history has seen leaders return to power after serving time in prison. Khan, a former cricket captain, knows how to lead from the front, and his supporters remain loyal. His legal battles may have significantly damaged his career, but his ability to rally the masses is unlikely to fade easily.
The legal system in Pakistan remains a highly charged political issue, and with Khan now barred from standing in the February 2024 elections, the country is bracing for another potentially contentious poll. Accusations of election rigging and political interference are already swirling, with Khan’s supporters alleging that the establishment is attempting to ensure his exclusion from the political arena permanently.
As Pakistan heads into another election cycle, the case of Imran Khan and his wife, alongside the continued unrest sparked by his imprisonment, will likely remain a defining feature of the nation’s political landscape. For Khan, this latest sentence is another chapter in a long and tumultuous story that has captivated the nation and, indeed, the world. But in Pakistan’s political theatre, where power shifts unexpectedly and often violently, the story of Khan’s return is far from over.
