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..Bushra Bibi Receives Seven-Year Sentence; PTI Plans to Appeal
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to 14 years in prison on corruption charges related to the illegal acquisition of valuable land through a deal with property tycoon Malik Riaz. His wife, Bushra Bibi, received a seven-year sentence. The convictions were delivered by a specially established court within Rawalpindi prison.
The case centers on allegations that Khan and Bushra Bibi accepted land from Malik Riaz in exchange for legal protection of his assets during Khan’s tenure as prime minister from 2018 to 2022. Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party contends that these charges are politically motivated attempts to prevent his return to power. Both Khan and Bushra Bibi deny the allegations and plan to appeal the verdict.
This conviction adds to a series of legal challenges Khan has faced since his ousting in April 2022. He has been detained since August 2023 on various charges, which he asserts are orchestrated by political adversaries. Despite previous convictions being overturned, Khan remains entangled in legal battles. He maintains that he will not seek deals or relief to secure his release, framing his legal struggles as resistance against dictatorship.
Following the verdict, PTI members protested, insisting that the case is fabricated. The party plans to challenge the decision in higher courts, asserting that the judiciary’s lack of independence is evident in this ruling.
The political climate in Pakistan remains tense, with Khan’s legal predicaments potentially influencing the nation’s political landscape and the future of PTI. Observers are closely monitoring the situation as appeals progress and the implications of these convictions unfold.
