In a landmark decision, a Pakistani court has sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan to 14 years in prison on charges of corruption related to a land graft case. The verdict was announced on Friday, marking a significant development in the country’s ongoing political and judicial turbulence.
According to local reports, including ARY News, the case involved allegations of misuse of authority during Khan’s tenure as prime minister, leading to the illegal allocation of valuable land assets. The court found Khan guilty of benefiting personally from the transactions, a charge he has consistently denied.
Khan’s legal team has criticized the verdict, labeling it politically motivated and vowing to appeal the decision in higher courts. Meanwhile, his supporters have taken to the streets in protest, decrying what they see as an unfair trial aimed at sidelining the former leader.
The ruling comes amid a broader crackdown on corruption in Pakistan, with authorities pursuing high-profile figures in a bid to restore public trust in governance. Imran Khan, once a celebrated cricketer-turned-politician, has faced a series of legal battles since his removal from office in a parliamentary vote of no confidence in 2022.
The case has drawn widespread attention both domestically and internationally, as observers weigh its implications for Pakistan’s political future and judicial independence. As tensions rise, authorities are on high alert, bracing for possible unrest in the wake of the controversial decision.