A Pakistani court on Friday sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan to 14 years in prison on charges of land corruption, according to Media News from Islamabad. The ruling marks a significant development in the legal challenges faced by the 72-year-old former cricket star, who has been embroiled in multiple corruption cases since leaving office in 2022.
The anti-corruption court, convening at a prison in Rawalpindi, issued its verdict against Khan in the largest financial wrongdoing case brought against him. The allegations stem from claims that Khan and his wife accepted land as a gift from a prominent real estate developer during his tenure as prime minister between 2018 and 2022. Prosecutors argued that the land was offered in exchange for political favors, violating the country’s laws on transparency and accountability.
Khan has been in custody since August 2023, when he was arrested following months of political turmoil and a series of court appearances. His legal team has consistently denied the allegations, claiming they are politically motivated attempts to undermine his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The high-profile case has further fueled tensions in Pakistan’s volatile political landscape, where Khan remains a polarizing figure. Despite his imprisonment, his supporters have continued to rally behind him, claiming his prosecution is part of a broader crackdown on dissent by the ruling government.
