Publish: 14:30, 17 Jan, 2025

Imran Khan jailed for 14 years in graft case

Online Desk
Imran Khan jailed for 14 years in graft case
AFP Photo

A Pakistan court on Friday convicted former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in a landmark graft case, sentencing Khan to 14 years in prison.

Khan has been held in custody since August 2023 charged with around 200 cases but his party claim the latest conviction was being used to pressure him into silence.

"I will neither make any deal nor seek any relief," Khan told reporters inside the court room after his conviction.

The anti-graft court convened in the jail near the capital Islamabad where Khan is being held, and convicted him along with his wife over a welfare foundation they established together called the Al-Qadir Trust.

"The prosecution has proven its case. Khan is convicted," said Judge Nasir Javed Rana, announcing a 14 year sentence for Khan and seven years for Bibi.

Faith healer Bibi, who was recently released on bail, was arrested at the court after the conviction, her spokeswoman Mashal Yousafzai.

Khan maintains the cases are politically motivated and designed to keep him from returning to power.

The sentence has been delayed several times over the past month, with analysts saying the jail term was being used to pressure Khan into accepting a deal with the military to step back from politics.

Since being ousted from power in 2022, Khan has launched an unprecedented campaign in which he has openly criticised the country's powerful generals.

Khan has been previously handed four convictions, two of which have been overturned while the sentences in the other two cases were suspended.

But he remained in prison over pending cases.

A UN panel of experts found last year that Khan's detention "had no legal basis and appears to have been intended to disqualify him from running for political office".

Khan was barred from standing in February's election and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party were hamstrung by a widespread crackdown.

PTI won more seats than any other party in the poll, but a coalition of parties considered more pliable to the influence of the military establishment shut them out of power.

Source: AFP

bd-pratidin/Rafid

More News
Hamas to halt hostage releases, jeopardizing Gaza ceasefire
Hamas to halt hostage releases, jeopardizing Gaza ceasefire
'HIV infections could surge if US support is dropped'
'HIV infections could surge if US support is dropped'
Iran urges UN to take ‘firm’ stance against displacement plot for Gaza
Iran urges UN to take ‘firm’ stance against displacement plot for Gaza
US to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports
US to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports
Almost all nations miss UN deadline for new climate targets
Almost all nations miss UN deadline for new climate targets
Syrians returning to the ruined town of Tel Rifaat
Syrians returning to the ruined town of Tel Rifaat
Colombia govt in crisis as president calls for cabinet resignation
Colombia govt in crisis as president calls for cabinet resignation
Iran will thwart all enemies’ plots: Pezeshkian
Iran will thwart all enemies’ plots: Pezeshkian
Despite Gaza ceasefire, West Bank Palestinians face more Israeli barriers and misery
Despite Gaza ceasefire, West Bank Palestinians face more Israeli barriers and misery
Maha Kumbh reportedly causing 300-km traffic
Maha Kumbh reportedly causing 300-km traffic
Man detained after 3 stabbed in Dublin
Man detained after 3 stabbed in Dublin
'No-one has the power' to remove Palestinians from Gaza: Erdogan
'No-one has the power' to remove Palestinians from Gaza: Erdogan
Latest News
Expect strict action if anti-social elements threaten anyone: PHQ
Expect strict action if anti-social elements threaten anyone: PHQ
8 minutes ago | National
Hamas to halt hostage releases, jeopardizing Gaza ceasefire
Hamas to halt hostage releases, jeopardizing Gaza ceasefire
15 minutes ago | International
Youth is not time but prospect: Home Adviser
Youth is not time but prospect: Home Adviser
9 hours ago | City
Consensus Commission dialogue with political parties begins Feb 15
Consensus Commission dialogue with political parties begins Feb 15
10 hours ago | National
Gold price hits record high of nearly Tk1.50 lakh per bhori
Gold price hits record high of nearly Tk1.50 lakh per bhori
10 hours ago | Business
BFF completes signing formalities with 36 female footballers
BFF completes signing formalities with 36 female footballers
10 hours ago | Sports
Ex-state minister Dipankar Talukder held
Ex-state minister Dipankar Talukder held
10 hours ago | National
'HIV infections could surge if US support is dropped'
'HIV infections could surge if US support is dropped'
11 hours ago | International
Iran urges UN to take ‘firm’ stance against displacement plot for Gaza
Iran urges UN to take ‘firm’ stance against displacement plot for Gaza
11 hours ago | International
Accused corrupts to be brought back from neighboring countries: ACC Chairman
Accused corrupts to be brought back from neighboring countries: ACC Chairman
11 hours ago | National
Govt assures BNP of holding polls by Dec: Fakhrul
Govt assures BNP of holding polls by Dec: Fakhrul
11 hours ago | National
343 more arrested in ‘Operation Devil Hunt’
343 more arrested in ‘Operation Devil Hunt’
11 hours ago | National
Three-day PaperTech Expo begins at ICCB
Three-day PaperTech Expo begins at ICCB
12 hours ago | Business
'Najmul was working very hard when he wasn't playing'
'Najmul was working very hard when he wasn't playing'
12 hours ago | Sports
Sharfuddoula to officiate in the opening match of Champions Trophy
Sharfuddoula to officiate in the opening match of Champions Trophy
13 hours ago | Sports
Court seek Interpol red notice to arrest Benazir
Court seek Interpol red notice to arrest Benazir
13 hours ago | National
A cleaner Bangladesh needs collective action: Syeda Rizwana Hasan
A cleaner Bangladesh needs collective action: Syeda Rizwana Hasan
13 hours ago | National
US to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports
US to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports
14 hours ago | International
Mostafa Quamrus Sobhan elected chairman of Rupali Insurance
Mostafa Quamrus Sobhan elected chairman of Rupali Insurance
14 hours ago | Business
Almost all nations miss UN deadline for new climate targets
Almost all nations miss UN deadline for new climate targets
14 hours ago | International
Consensus is essential considering overall situation of the country: Manna
Consensus is essential considering overall situation of the country: Manna
14 hours ago | National
Syrians returning to the ruined town of Tel Rifaat
Syrians returning to the ruined town of Tel Rifaat
14 hours ago | International
Colombia govt in crisis as president calls for cabinet resignation
Colombia govt in crisis as president calls for cabinet resignation
14 hours ago | International
Canada urged to relocate manufacturing factories to Bangladesh
Canada urged to relocate manufacturing factories to Bangladesh
14 hours ago | National
Simmons admits Tigers are not having 'the best preparation'
Simmons admits Tigers are not having 'the best preparation'
14 hours ago | Sports
UN ASG Kirstine Damkjaer to visit Bangladesh Feb 11-12
UN ASG Kirstine Damkjaer to visit Bangladesh Feb 11-12
15 hours ago | National
Hasan Mahmud to join Bangladesh squad for Champions Trophy preparations
Hasan Mahmud to join Bangladesh squad for Champions Trophy preparations
15 hours ago | Sports
No innocent to be punished under 'Operation Devil Hunt'
No innocent to be punished under 'Operation Devil Hunt'
15 hours ago | National
Failure to announce election roadmap soon will deepen Instability
Failure to announce election roadmap soon will deepen Instability
15 hours ago | National
Agency to be liable if anyone fails to go to Hajj:  Religious Advisor
Agency to be liable if anyone fails to go to Hajj:  Religious Advisor
15 hours ago | National
Most Read
Defaulted loans threaten financial sector
Defaulted loans threaten financial sector
22 hours ago | Business
Bashundhara City 'Clearance Sale' extended by four days
Bashundhara City 'Clearance Sale' extended by four days
23 hours ago | Business
No shortage of edible oil during the upcoming Ramadan
No shortage of edible oil during the upcoming Ramadan
23 hours ago | Business
Hania Aamir likely to accept Karan Johar’s Bollywood offer
Hania Aamir likely to accept Karan Johar’s Bollywood offer
18 hours ago | Entertainment
Court seek Interpol red notice to arrest Benazir
Court seek Interpol red notice to arrest Benazir
13 hours ago | National
Struggles with rising medicine expenses
Struggles with rising medicine expenses
22 hours ago | Special
Finance Advisor clarifies reason behind VAT hike
Finance Advisor clarifies reason behind VAT hike
18 hours ago | Business
5 bands to perform in tribute to Shafin Ahmed
5 bands to perform in tribute to Shafin Ahmed
21 hours ago | Entertainment
BRMCA for withdrawal of SD on stone imports
BRMCA for withdrawal of SD on stone imports
21 hours ago | Business
BIMSTEC summit: A meeting between Dr Yunus and Modi in the making?
BIMSTEC summit: A meeting between Dr Yunus and Modi in the making?
22 hours ago | International
EC detects NID data leaks involving five organizations
EC detects NID data leaks involving five organizations
17 hours ago | National
Expats stage protest for full rehabilitation, financial support
Expats stage protest for full rehabilitation, financial support
17 hours ago | City
Zahid Hasan returns to limelight with ‘Vallage Na’
Zahid Hasan returns to limelight with ‘Vallage Na’
16 hours ago | Entertainment
Gulam Rabbani's ‘Untongue’ wins awards at Venice and Budapest film festivals
Gulam Rabbani's ‘Untongue’ wins awards at Venice and Budapest film festivals
22 hours ago | Entertainment
Meta begins 5% workforce reduction as part of strategic shift towards AI
Meta begins 5% workforce reduction as part of strategic shift towards AI
19 hours ago | Tech
New study reveals beetroot juice as a secret to Staying Forever Young
New study reveals beetroot juice as a secret to Staying Forever Young
20 hours ago | Lifestyle
Mexican envoy pledges jobs for Bangladeshis
Mexican envoy pledges jobs for Bangladeshis
20 hours ago | National
Epilepsy in children: Causes, triggers, first-aid, diet
Epilepsy in children: Causes, triggers, first-aid, diet
21 hours ago | Lifestyle
Reasons why protein-rich post-workout meal important
Reasons why protein-rich post-workout meal important
21 hours ago | Lifestyle
Businesses grappling with multiple challenges
Businesses grappling with multiple challenges
21 hours ago | Business
Dubai's ‘airport city’ set to create thousands of jobs as new passenger terminal nears completion
Dubai's ‘airport city’ set to create thousands of jobs as new passenger terminal nears completion
20 hours ago | Business
Bourses see mixed trend on Monday
Bourses see mixed trend on Monday
20 hours ago | Business
Siam Ahmed’s stunning new look for 'Jongli'
Siam Ahmed’s stunning new look for 'Jongli'
20 hours ago | Entertainment
Saif Ali Khan calls his attacker 'poor guy'
Saif Ali Khan calls his attacker 'poor guy'
19 hours ago | Entertainment
BNP announces eight-day programme
BNP announces eight-day programme
20 hours ago | National
Saudi bans children from 2025 hajj pilgrimage
Saudi bans children from 2025 hajj pilgrimage
21 hours ago | International
UN ASG Kirstine Damkjaer to visit Bangladesh Feb 11-12
UN ASG Kirstine Damkjaer to visit Bangladesh Feb 11-12
15 hours ago | National
Construction of 2 Mongla port jetties progressing fast
Construction of 2 Mongla port jetties progressing fast
17 hours ago | National
Marriages in China down by a fifth in 2024: government
Marriages in China down by a fifth in 2024: government
18 hours ago | Lifestyle
Trinamool BNP chairman Shamsher Mobin remanded for 4 days
Trinamool BNP chairman Shamsher Mobin remanded for 4 days
17 hours ago | National