On January 21, 2025, Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were convicted by an accountability court in Rawalpindi on corruption charges related to the Al-Qadir Trust case. Khan received a 14-year prison sentence and a fine of one million Pakistani rupees, while Bushra Bibi was sentenced to seven years in prison and fined 500,000 rupees.
The charges stem from allegations that the couple accepted land from real estate tycoon Malik Riaz in exchange for legal protection of his assets during Khan’s tenure as Prime Minister. The land was intended for the Al-Qadir Trust, a welfare foundation established by Khan and his wife.
Khan’s political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has denounced the verdict as a “murder of justice,” asserting that the government is deliberately misinterpreting facts to sideline Khan from politics. PTI announced plans to appeal the conviction in higher courts, expressing confidence in a fair hearing.
The conviction has intensified political tensions in Pakistan, with PTI organizing nationwide protests against what they perceive as a politically motivated decision. Observers note that this development could derail ongoing talks between PTI and the government aimed at resolving longstanding political disputes.
Khan, who has been detained since August 2023 on various charges he claims are politically motivated, continues to face numerous legal challenges. Despite previous convictions being overturned, his current imprisonment underscores the volatile nature of Pakistan’s political landscape.
This situation highlights the complex interplay between Pakistan’s judiciary, military establishment, and political factions, raising concerns about the impartiality of legal proceedings and the influence of powerful entities in shaping the country’s political future.