LAHORE (Agencies): Pakistan’s former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, has been sentenced to three years in prison and subsequently arrested in Lahore. The court found him guilty of illegally selling state gifts that were received during official visits abroad. The gifts were valued at more than 140 million Pakistani rupees ($497,500).
The 70-year-old politician, who was known for his cricket career before entering politics, was accused of misusing his position as Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022 to engage in corrupt practices related to buying and selling these state gifts. Judge Humayun Dilawar, in his ruling, stated that Khan’s dishonesty was beyond doubt, and he intentionally concealed the benefits he received from the national exchequer.
The court also imposed a fine of 100,000 rupees ($355) on Khan, and failure to pay this fine could lead to an additional six months of imprisonment.
Following his arrest, Khan’s lawyer, Intezar Panjotha, announced that they would file a petition against the court’s decision in the high court.
Before his arrest, Imran Khan recorded a video message and posted it on a social media platform, calling on his supporters to protest against the verdict. He emphasized that his fight was not just for himself but for the nation and the future of its children. He referred to an alleged plot known as the “London Plan,” involving the current army chief, General Asim Munir, and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who has been in self-exile in London since 2019. However, Khan has yet to provide evidence to support these claims.