Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan was despatched to jail for 3 years Saturday after a court docket within the capital discovered him responsible of graft, a transfer prone to bar him from standing in elections due later this 12 months.
Some small, scattered protests by his supporters broke out throughout the nation after police arrested the previous worldwide cricket star at his house within the jap metropolis of Lahore.
Anyone convicted of a prison offence is disqualified from contesting elections in Pakistan, and parliament is prone to be dissolved within the subsequent two weeks earlier than it completes its time period, with a nationwide vote to be held by mid-November or earlier.
“His dishonesty has been established beyond doubt,” choose Humayun Dilawar wrote in a ruling seen by AFP for a case centred on presents he acquired and didn’t correctly declare whereas he was premier.
“He has been found guilty of corrupt practices by hiding the benefits he accrued from national exchequer willfully and intentionally.”
In May, Khan was arrested and briefly detained in Islamabad for a similar case, sparking lethal unrest throughout which supporters of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) social gathering poured onto the streets and clashed with police.
In the aftermath of his launch following three days in custody, PTI has been focused by a crackdown with 1000’s of arrests, stories of intimidation and muzzling of the press.
Images of Khan — and even point out of him by title — are prohibited from being broadcast on TV channels, however he stays wildly in style and final month a debut video to his private TikTok account racked up greater than 135 million views and 4.5 million likes inside 36 hours.
After he was taken away by police Saturday, a video assertion Khan made earlier than his arrest was posted to his X account with him calling for his supporters to protest.
“My fellow Pakistanis, they will have arrested me and I’ll be in jail by the time this message reaches you. I have just one request and appeal, that you are not to sit silently at home,” he stated.
“This is a war for justice, for your rights, for your freedom… chains don’t just fall off, they have to be broken. You must continue peaceful protest until you get your rights.”
Khan not in court docket
Khan, 70, has confronted a slew of court docket circumstances on fees he says are politically motivated since being ousted in a vote of no confidence final 12 months, and was not current when he was sentenced Saturday.
The choose additionally fined him 100,000 rupees (round $350).
Soon after the ruling, police entered his house in Lahore and took him away.
“A thief has been arrested today,” authorities spokeswoman Marriyum Aurangzeb advised reporters.
“Any negotiations with the thief will be difficult now because he will be in jail.”
State TV stated Khan had been taken to jail in Attock, a historic fort metropolis round 60 kilometres (37 miles) west of Islamabad.
PTI attorneys stated they had been submitting a number of appeals to try to overturn Khan’s conviction and safe his launch.
“This is a very regrettable decision that was made in haste. Justice was not provided to us and the right of defence was not given,” stated Gohar Khan, a member of his authorized crew.
Khan’s jailing will do little to calm the financial and political unrest that has roiled the nation for the previous 18 months.
Parliament is prone to be dissolved within the subsequent two weeks earlier than it completes its time period, with nationwide elections to be held by mid-November or earlier.
“Everyone will ask questions about the credibility of elections in the absence of PTI and Imran Khan and questions will be raised about the credibility of elections in the outside world as well,” political analyst Hasan Askari advised AFP.
Khan rose to energy in 2018 on a wave of in style help, an anti-corruption manifesto, and the backing of the highly effective navy institution.
When he was ousted in April final 12 months, analysts stated it was as a result of he misplaced the backing of the highest generals.
In a number of speeches and interviews Khan has highlighted the facility the highest brass wield behind the scenes — a topic traditionally thought of a purple line in Pakistan.
The case that has led to his arrest centres on presents Khan and his spouse acquired whereas in workplace.
Pakistan newspapers have for months carried lurid tales alleging Khan and his spouse acquired lavish presents value thousands and thousands throughout journeys overseas — together with luxurious watches, jewelry, designer purses and perfumes.
Government officers should declare all presents, however are allowed to maintain these beneath a sure worth or purchase them at an formally agreed value.
A spokesman for PTI stated the social gathering would now be led by vice chairman and former international minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. — Agence France-Presse
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
