Islamabad, Jan 17 (V7N)— A Pakistani court has sentenced former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to 14 years in prison on corruption charges. His wife, Bushra Bibi, was also convicted in the same case and handed a seven-year prison sentence.

The verdict was delivered on Friday by Judge Nasir Javed Rana in an anti-corruption court set up inside the prison where Imran Khan has been held since August 2023. The charges relate to the Al-Qadir Trust, a welfare foundation linked to the couple. The court ruled that the prosecution had successfully proven its case.

According to Reuters, Imran Khan, a former cricketing legend and World Cup-winning captain, has been embroiled in over 200 cases since his removal from office. The verdict marks a significant escalation in the legal challenges he faces.

Imran Khan has consistently denied all allegations, claiming they are politically motivated attempts to block his return to power. His legal team has announced plans to appeal the ruling.

Qatar-based Al Jazeera reported that the case proceedings were held in a special courtroom inside the prison near Islamabad, highlighting the heightened security and sensitivity surrounding the trial.

The conviction is expected to deepen political tensions in Pakistan, where Khan’s PTI party continues to allege judicial and governmental bias against their leader. The sentences for Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi come amid an already turbulent political climate, with significant implications for the country’s future leadership.

END/MSS/AJ