Islamabad. The legal troubles of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan have been increasing continuously for the last one and a half years. He was first arrested on corruption charges on 9 May 2023. After this, his second arrest took place in August 2023 in the Toshakhana case. Since then he is in judicial custody in several cases and hearings are going on in different courts. The latest decision is being considered an important turning point in the series of cases going on against him. Former Prime Minister of Pakistan and Cricket World Cup winning captain Imran Khan has been sentenced by the court to 17 years in prison in a serious corruption case. In the same case, his wife Bushra Bibi has also been given the same punishment. This decision has come at a time when questions are being raised at the international level regarding the alleged inhuman treatment in his jail and pressure is increasing on the Pakistan government.
There is also controversy over the manner in which he was kept in jail in Pakistan at the time of his sentencing. Supporters and party leaders allege that Imran Khan has been kept in solitary confinement for a long time and he is not being provided even basic facilities. The international community has expressed concern on this issue. Recently the United Nations had appealed to the Pakistan government to take him out of solitary confinement. Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has described the court’s decision as an act of political vendetta. Party leaders say that the current ruling establishment is trying to oust Imran Khan from politics by using the judicial process. They also claim that the decision is not fair and will be challenged in higher courts. At the same time, the Government of Pakistan has completely rejected these allegations. The government says that the law is taking its course in the country and there is no political interference in the decisions of the courts. No concession is given to anyone in corruption cases, no matter how big a leader he is. After this decision, there are indications that turmoil will once again intensify in the politics of Pakistan. Resentment is likely to increase among Imran Khan’s supporters, while the debate on Pakistan’s judicial and human rights situation may also intensify on the international platform.
