Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to 14 years in prison by a local court in a high-profile land corruption case linked to the Al-Qadir Trust, ARY News reported on Friday. His wife, Bushra Bibi, has also been handed a seven-year prison term. The verdict, delivered by Judge Nasir Javed Rana of the anti-corruption court, was announced in a makeshift courtroom set up inside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where Khan has been detained since August 2023. The judgment, which had been deferred three times, marks the largest financial wrongdoing case faced by Khan.
Case Background
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) filed the case in December 2023, accusing Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and six others of causing a loss of £190 million (approximately PKR 50 billion) to the national treasury. The allegations stem from a settlement made by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) in 2022, which returned the amount to Pakistan following a deal with property tycoon Malik Riaz.
The Al-Qadir Trust Allegations
The NAB alleged that during his tenure as prime minister, Khan allowed the misappropriation of the £190 million returned by the NCA. Prosecutors claim the funds were diverted for personal and institutional gains, including the establishment of Al-Qadir University in Jhelum, for which Bushra Bibi, a trustee of the Al-Qadir Trust, allegedly received 458 kanals of land as a "gift" from Malik Riaz.
In exchange, Riaz was reportedly permitted to pay fines imposed on him in another case using the laundered money. The funds, originally meant for the national treasury, were allegedly redirected for the benefit of the tycoon and the trust.
Court Ruling and Reaction
Imran Khan has consistently denied the charges, calling them a politically motivated attempt to bar him from returning to power. While Khan and Bushra Bibi have been convicted, other accused individuals, including Malik Riaz, remain outside the country and have not faced prosecution.
Khan’s legal team has announced plans to appeal the decision, citing what they describe as procedural irregularities and lack of evidence.
Broader Legal Troubles
This latest conviction adds to Khan’s mounting legal challenges. Since being ousted from office in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022, the cricketer-turned-politician has faced multiple cases, including charges of corruption, revealing state secrets, and marriage law violations. Under Pakistani law, Khan will serve the longest of his concurrent sentences, which currently stands at 14 years.
Political Implications
The verdict has ignited protests by Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), with supporters decrying the ruling as a blow to democracy. Analysts predict significant political ramifications, with the ruling coalition likely to face heightened scrutiny over its handling of corruption cases.
A Step Toward Accountability?
The Al-Qadir Trust case has reignited debate over corruption in Pakistan, with some viewing the ruling as a landmark decision for accountability. However, critics argue that selective prosecution undermines the credibility of anti-corruption efforts. The absence of action against other accused individuals, including Malik Riaz, has raised questions about the impartiality of the legal system.
