Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for corruption. Notably, this is the longest sentence he has faced so far. Over time, he has been charged in more than 100 cases, including leaking state secrets and selling state gifts. However, Khan insists these charges are politically motivated.

The Bribery Case

Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, allegedly accepted land as a bribe from a real estate tycoon. They did this through the Al-Qadir Trust, which they had established during Khan's time in office. Authorities claim Khan used £190 million from the UK's National Crime Agency to pay the tycoon's fines. On the other hand, Khan's party, PTI, argues that the land was intended for a spiritual center, not for personal gain.

PTI's Defense

In response to the verdict, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan stated, "Imran Khan has done no wrong." He described the trial as politically motivated and emphasized that Khan would not back down. "He will not give in, he will not give up, he will not break," Gohar Ali added.

Khan's Reaction

Following the verdict, Khan told reporters he would not seek any deal or relief. Additionally, he was fined over £4,000 along with the prison term. His wife received a seven-year sentence and a fine of more than £2,000.

Previous Sentences

Earlier, in 2023, Khan was sentenced to three years for not declaring income from selling state gifts. This sentence was later suspended. Furthermore, he received a 14-year sentence for selling state gifts and 10 years for leaking state secrets, both of which were eventually suspended.

Political Influence and Protests

Despite his imprisonment, Khan continues to wield significant influence in Pakistani politics. His party won the most seats in the last election. Meanwhile, his prosecution has sparked widespread protests. Authorities have responded with a heavy crackdown, arresting thousands and injuring many protesters.