Ex-Pak PM Imran Khan Jailed for 14 Years: Court Convicts in Corruption Case

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi were convicted in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust land corruption case. On Friday, Khan received a 14-year jail sentence, while Bushra Bibi was sentenced to seven years. Both were also fined with Khan ordered to pay 1 million Pakistani rupees and Bibi 500,000 rupees. The case revolves around accusations of misappropriating £190 million (50 billion Pakistani rupees) intended for the national treasury during Khan's tenure.

The charges allege that Khan and Bibi facilitated the transfer of billions of rupees and hundreds of kanals of land from Bahria Town Ltd in exchange for legalizing 50 billion rupees returned to Pakistan by the UK. Instead of directing the funds to the treasury they were allegedly used for personal gains, including establishing Al-Qadir University in Jhelum. Bushra Bibi as a trustee of the Al-Qadir Trust is accused of benefiting from the deal by acquiring 458 kanals of land for the university. Imran Khan is said to have played a key role in redirecting the funds into a private account.

While Khan has denied the allegations calling them politically motivated, NAB prosecutors have argued that neither Khan nor Bibi provided evidence to justify their actions, citing intentional misconduct. Other individuals named in the case including a property tycoon remain outside Pakistan and have yet to face prosecution. Khan, who is already imprisoned has previously faced legal battles but was acquitted in other high-profile cases last year.