Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty in a corruption trial, which also disqualifies him from holding political office. Khan was arrested at his home in Lahore following the court’s ruling, according to his PTI party.
The trial is related to an inquiry by the election commission that found Khan guilty of unlawfully selling state gifts during his time as prime minister from 2018 to 2022. PTI has lodged an appeal on Khan’s behalf in the Supreme Court against the decision.
Khan, 70, was ousted in a parliamentary no-confidence vote last year and has since led a popular campaign against the current government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accusing it of colluding with senior military leaders to remove him from office and prevent him from participating in politics.
In May, Khan’s arrest and brief detention on a separate case sparked violent clashes between his supporters and the police, leading to the detention of several senior party leaders during the unrest. Khan has also made allegations that the government conspired with the United States to remove him from office, claims that both parties have rejected.
The army has previously denied Khan’s claims of having any involvement in past purported attempts on his life. However, Khan’s claims have resonated with a young population in Pakistan, where anger and disillusionment with the political and military establishment is fueled by a rising cost-of-living crisis and anti-American sentiment is common.
The verdict against Khan means he will be unable to participate in the upcoming elections before the end of the year. Despite the sentencing, Khan has consistently denied all wrongdoing.