Imran, wife get prison terms in land graft case

A Pakistani court on Friday sentenced jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 14 and seven years in prison, respectively, after finding them guilty of corruption in the 190 million pounds al-Qadir Trust case.

Judge Nasir Javed Rana of the anti-corruption court announced the verdict in a makeshift court set up in Adila jail where Khan is currently lodged. Khan is facing dozens of cases after he lost a trust vote in Parliament in 2022.

Khan has been convicted for “corrupt practices” and “misuse of authority”, while his wife has been convicted for “involvement in illegal activities”.

Pak Rs 50 billion Al-Qadir Trust case

• Case registered in Dec 2023 for causing a loss of Pak Rs 50 billion to the exchequer
• Amount was returned to Pak by UK’s National Crime Agency as part of a case settlement
• Funds ‘redirected’ to set up Al-Qadir varsity; institute was to promote teachings of the Prophet
• Bibi, as a trustee of the Al-Qadir Trust, accused of benefiting from this settlement

Khan, who has been jailed since August 2023, was also fined Rs 1 million and Bibi half a million rupees. Failure to pay the fine will entail an additional six months of imprisonment for Khan and three months for Bibi. The court also ordered the confiscation of the land of Al-Qadir University set up by them. Bibi was arrested from the court after the sentencing.

Supporters and leaders of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party staged a protest outside Parliament House, held placards and raised slogans, demanding his release. “Today’s verdict has tarnished the reputation of the judiciary. In this case, neither I benefited nor the government lost. I don’t want any relief and will face all cases,” Khan was quoted as saying by his party. “A dictator is doing all this,” he said.

PTI leaders strongly denounced the verdict, terming it “unjust”, “shameful” and a case of “political victimisation.” Party leader Shibli Faraz argued that Khan and Bibi were being punished for founding the Al-Qadir University, which aimed to promote the teachings of the Prophet. “Those who looted the country walk free, while sincere leaders face jail,” said Faraz, while reaffirming to challenge the verdict.

Khan can appeal against the judgment in the High Court and, if needed, in the Supreme Court. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in December 2023 filed the case against Khan (72), Bibi (50) and six others, accusing them of causing a loss to the tune of 190 million pounds (PRs 50 billion) to the national kitty.