Ex-PM Imran Khan, Wife Sentenced to Jail in Corruption Case

Islamabad, Pakistan – Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to 14 years in prison, while his wife, Bushra Bibi, received a seven-year sentence in a corruption case linked to the misuse of authority involving the Al-Qadir University Project Trust.

Khan was also fined 1 million Pakistani rupees ($3,500), while Bushra Bibi was fined half that amount.

Case Details

The accountability court operating from Adiala Jail, where Khan has been detained since August 2023, reserved its verdict in December 2024 after exhaustive proceedings. Bushra Bibi was arrested immediately after the announcement.

Khan and Bibi were accused of acquiring land worth billions of rupees from property tycoon Malik Riaz to establish the nonprofit Al-Qadir Trust. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) alleged that Khan facilitated a quid pro quo deal, enabling Riaz to launder $239 million, causing significant losses to the national treasury.

Reactions and Allegations

Faisal Fareed Chaudhry, Khan’s lawyer, called the decision a continuation of “bogus persecution.”

“It is perhaps the only case where NAB couldn’t establish a loss of even a single penny,” Chaudhry said, emphasizing the lack of evidence proving financial loss to the state or personal gain for Khan and his wife.

Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), echoed this sentiment in its statement, labeling the case as politically motivated.

Historical Context and Political Fallout

This verdict marks Khan’s fourth conviction, following earlier charges related to selling state gifts, leaking state secrets, and unlawful marriage—all of which were later overturned. Despite these legal battles, Khan remains a central figure in Pakistani politics, with numerous cases pending against him.

The case also threatens to derail ongoing negotiations between PTI and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government. Political analyst Majid Nizami noted the extensive documentation presented in the case but also highlighted the tendency toward political victimization in Pakistan’s judicial history.

“This could lead to a more aggressive stance by PTI factions advocating resistance over dialogue,” Nizami said.

Broader Implications

The conviction further underscores the complex power dynamics in Pakistan, where the military has historically played a significant role. Khan has accused the military and foreign powers of conspiring against him, claims that both have denied.

As the political turmoil unfolds, the Al-Qadir Trust case continues to be a focal point in Pakistan’s ongoing struggle between justice and political vindictiveness.

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Sources:

1. Al Jazeera, Abid Hussain: Original Article on Al-Qadir Trust Case
2. NAB Investigation Reports (Referenced from Al Jazeera Coverage)