Islamabad, Pakistan – January 17, 2025
In a significant legal decision, Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to 14 years in prison on corruption charges linked to the Al-Qadir Trust case. His wife, Bushra Bibi, has also been handed a seven-year prison sentence for her involvement in the matter.
Case Overview
The allegations against the couple center on their misuse of authority during Khan’s premiership from 2018 to 2022. According to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi acquired valuable land from real estate magnate Malik Riaz under questionable circumstances. The land, allegedly worth billions of rupees, was used to establish the Al-Qadir University Project Trust, a non-profit aimed at educational development.
The controversy escalated after the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) confiscated £190 million from Malik Riaz, funds that were later repatriated to Pakistan. NAB officials argue that Khan’s administration facilitated the laundering of this money by allowing it to be deposited in the Supreme Court on Riaz’s behalf. In exchange, Malik Riaz allegedly gifted prime land to the Al-Qadir Trust, thereby implicating both Khan and his wife in corruption.
Court Proceedings and Sentences
The accountability court, operating within the confines of Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail—where Imran Khan has been held since August 2023—announced the verdict after months of deliberation. Presiding Judge Nasir Javed Rana sentenced Imran Khan to 14 years of imprisonment and fined him 1 million Pakistani rupees (approximately $3,500). Bushra Bibi was sentenced to seven years and fined 500,000 rupees.
Additionally, the court ordered that the Al-Qadir University be transferred to state ownership. Bushra Bibi was immediately taken into custody following the ruling.
Khan’s legal team has criticized the decision, calling it part of a politically motivated campaign to target the couple. They have vowed to challenge the convictions in higher courts.
Political Fallout
This ruling adds to the growing list of legal troubles for Imran Khan, marking the fourth high-profile conviction against him. While previous rulings involving state gifts, leaks of classified information, and an alleged unlawful marriage were overturned, Khan continues to face numerous other cases. He has repeatedly claimed these charges are part of a politically motivated “witch-hunt” designed to suppress his influence.
The timing of the verdict is particularly sensitive, as it coincides with delicate negotiations between Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and the government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Political observers caution that the conviction could derail these talks and fuel further instability in the country’s already tense political climate.
Public Reaction and Unrest
The court’s decision has sparked widespread anger among PTI supporters, many of whom view the case as an attempt to stifle opposition. Protests erupted in major cities, with demonstrators demanding the immediate release of Khan and his wife. Security forces are on high alert as authorities brace for potentially larger protests in the coming days.
What’s Next?
The conviction of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi marks a turning point in Pakistan’s political landscape. Whether this verdict solidifies the government’s position or ignites greater public unrest remains to be seen. As the legal battles continue, the country awaits further developments in one of its most high-profile corruption cases.
Informative