Pakistani Court Jails Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and His Wife in Corruption Case.

On January 17, 2025, a Pakistani accountability court sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan to 14 years in prison and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to 7 years, following their conviction on corruption charges.

The case centers on allegations that the couple accepted land from real estate tycoon Malik Riaz in exchange for laundered money during Khan's tenure from 2018 to 2022.

Details of the Case

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) accused Khan and Bibi of receiving land worth billions of rupees for the Al-Qadir Trust, a nonprofit educational institute. Prosecutors allege that Khan facilitated Riaz in laundering over $239 million, causing significant losses to the national treasury.

The funds, recovered by the UK's National Crime Agency and returned to Pakistan in 2022 for public use, were allegedly redirected by Khan to settle Riaz's penalties.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

The verdict was delivered by an accountability court operating from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023. Khan received a fine of 1 million Pakistani rupees ($3,500), while Bibi was fined half that amount.

Bibi was arrested following the verdict. Khan's defense team condemned the decision as politically motivated, asserting that the NAB failed to establish any financial loss to the state or personal gain for Khan and his wife.

Political Implications

This conviction marks the fourth major case against Khan, who has faced numerous legal challenges since his ousting in April 2022 via a parliamentary no-confidence vote. Despite his imprisonment, Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), performed well in the 2024 general elections but failed to form a government.

PTI plans to appeal the verdict, maintaining that the charges are part of a political vendetta to prevent Khan's return to power.

Broader Context

Khan's tenure as prime minister was marked by tensions with Pakistan's powerful military, which he accused of orchestrating his removal. His arrest in May 2023 led to nationwide protests and a subsequent crackdown on his supporters. The current conviction adds to the complex political landscape in Pakistan, where former leaders often face legal battles post-tenure.