Imran Khan was sentenced to 3 Years in prison and disqualified from Politics for 5 years.
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was sentenced to three years in prison and disqualified from politics for five years on Saturday, August 5, 2023. The court found him guilty of illegally selling state gifts, popularly known as the Toshakhana corruption case.
The case dates back to Khan’s time as prime minister, from 2018 to 2022. He is accused of selling a watch that he received from foreign dignitaries. The gift was supposed to be deposited in the Toshakhana, a government department that stores official gifts given to rulers and government officials. However, Khan is accused of selling it without permission and pocketing the money.
The court found Khan guilty of “corruption and dishonesty” and sentenced him to three years in prison. He was also disqualified from holding public office for five years. Khan has denied the charges and vowed to appeal the verdict.
Khan’s lawyer said that the verdict was “politically motivated” and that Khan would appeal it to the Supreme Court. He said that Khan was “a victim of a witch hunt” by the current government.
His layer also said that Khan was in good spirits in jail and that he was “determined to fight for justice.”
Khan’s imprisonment is a major setback for his political career. He is the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which is the main opposition party in the country. Khan’s supporters have vowed to continue protesting against the government and demanding his release.
The verdict in the Toshakhana case is just the latest in a series of legal challenges facing Khan. He is also facing a separate case on charges of inciting violence during a protest rally in Islamabad in May 2022.
Khan’s imprisonment is likely to further destabilize Pakistan’s political situation. The country is already facing a number of challenges, including a severe economic crisis and an ongoing insurgency in the northwest. Khan’s supporters have warned that his imprisonment could lead to further unrest.
It remains to be seen how Khan’s imprisonment will affect the political landscape in Pakistan. However, it is clear that his removal from the political arena is a major victory for the current government.
