Islamabad, 17 Jan. 2025
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi were convicted today, on Friday in mega corruption case and misusing of his official position. Both are sentenced for vigorous 14 and 7 years of jail respectovely, in addition.
The verdict was announced by Accountability Judge Nasir Javed Rana in makeshift courtroom in Adiala Jail. Both the criminals Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were also awarded cash fine of Rs.1 million and Rs. 500,000, respectively. Failure to pay the fines, both will face an additional six month and three months of jail, respectively.
Moreover, property of the 'sham trust ‘Al-Qadir University Trust’ is confiscated and ordered the government to take over its possession.
The verdict said that 'both the convicts are present before the Court, they be taken into custody in this case and be handed over to the Superintendent Jail along with the Committal Warrant to serve the sentences so awarded'.
As per the conviction, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi obtained 23 hectares of land along with over 258 million of rupees for construction in bribe from Bahria Town Ltd for legalising Rs. 50 billion of money laundering returned back to Pakistan by the government of United Kingdom during Imran Khan led PTI government (2018-2022).
On December 23, 2024, the day verdict was supposed to be announced, was postponed three times for Jan 6 and then for Jan. 13, the judge announced the reason for the delay as Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi’s failure to appear before his trial court at the Adiala Jail. Moreover, the criminals asked 35 times to adjourn the trial during the trial, using delaying tactics, as well as withdrew his witnesses.
Imran Khan was acquitted by High Courts earlier in the cipher and Iddat cases but was charged in Toshakhana 2 case in December.
There are several serious allegations against him currently awaiting trial, including involvement in the May 9, 2023, attacks on over 200 military installations and buildings across the country. Approximately 105 individuals, believed to be his supporters, have been convicted by military courts. Additionally, several of his close associates and party leaders are in custody, awaiting verdicts on charges related to acts of terrorism. Interestingly, many of his associates under investigation had posted selfies on X and other social media platforms, seemingly documenting their participation in these significant anti-state activities.
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