Imran Khan sentenced to 14 years and his wife to 7 years

Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to 14 years in prison in the Al-Qadir Trust case. In the same case, his wife Bushra Khan Bibi has also been sentenced to 7 years imprisonment. Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) confirmed this information on Friday (January 17). Apart from imprisonment, they have also been fined. Imran Khan will be fined one million rupees and Bushra will be fined five lakh rupees. Imran Khan will face another six months in jail and Bushra Bibi three months in jail if he fails to pay the fine.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Bushra were accused in this case on February 27, 2024 after the general elections in Pakistan. The case revolves around a charity called the Al-Qadir Trust, which was founded by Imran Khan and his wife in 2018. Imran Khan was the Prime Minister at that time. Pakistani authorities claim that the trust is actually a shell company through which Imran Khan and Bushra Khan received valuable land as bribes from Malik Riaz Hussain, one of the country’s most influential real-estate tycoons. Malik Riaz Hussain is considered one of the richest and most powerful men in Pakistan. Both Imran Khan and Bushra Khan denied the allegations.

Reacting to Friday’s verdict, PTI said it is awaiting the detailed verdict and claims the case against Imran Khan and his wife is baseless. The PTI statement said, “All the evidence and witness statements are clear that there was no corruption or mismanagement.” Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were only trustees, they had no role beyond that.