NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER: Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan speaks at the Climate Action Summit at the United Nations in New York City. While the United States will not be participating, China and about 70 other countries are expected to make announcements concerning climate change. (Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)
(EPICSTORIAN) – Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to 14 years in prison in a high-profile land corruption case, further deepening the political turmoil surrounding the ousted leader. His wife, Bushra Bibi, was also convicted and taken into custody.
The case centers on allegations that real estate tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain provided land to the Al Qadir Trust, an entity founded by Khan and his wife during his tenure.
Prosecutors argue the trust was a front for illicit financial dealings, while Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party insists the land was intended for a spiritual educational institution.
The Largest Corruption Case Against Khan
Authorities claim that Khan misused £190 million repatriated by the UK to Pakistan in 2019 after Hussain forfeited assets in a British criminal investigation. Prosecutors allege that Khan used these funds to clear financial penalties for Hussain, who in turn acquired government lands at below-market rates.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb called it “the country’s largest corruption scandal”, reinforcing the government’s narrative that Khan engaged in financial misconduct at the highest levels.
PTI’s Strong Denial and Appeal Plans
The PTI party has strongly condemned the ruling, dismissing it as politically motivated. Senior PTI leader Omar Ayub Khan insisted:
“The Al Qadir Trust case lacks any solid foundation and is bound to collapse.”
PTI officials vowed to challenge the verdict, alleging judicial bias and accusing the government of orchestrating legal battles to sideline Khan ahead of upcoming elections.
Khan’s Expanding Legal Troubles
Imran Khan, 72, has been embroiled in over 150 criminal cases since his removal from office in 2022 through a no-confidence vote. The charges against him range from corruption and misuse of power to inciting violence against state institutions.
Despite securing acquittals or suspended sentences in several cases—including those related to leaked state secrets—his legal troubles persist. Authorities are also investigating his role in violent clashes involving military institutions.
Political Fallout and Public Reaction
The sentencing comes at a delicate moment, just a day after PTI entered reconciliation talks with the government in a bid to stabilize Pakistan’s volatile political landscape.
Khan’s conviction has further inflamed tensions, sparking periodic violent protests. In November, clashes between his supporters and security forces resulted in six deaths and nearly a thousand arrests.
Observers warn that Khan’s imprisonment could trigger further unrest, as his supporters view the case as part of a systematic crackdown on political opposition.
