Pakistan sentences former PM Imran Khan and wife to 17 years for corruption

DW
DW
4h ago
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Ex-PM Imran Khan and wife sentenced to 17 years for corruption in Pakistan involving undervalued state gifts.
Pakistan sentences former PM Imran Khan and wife to 17 years for corruption
A What happened
In a significant judicial decision, Pakistan sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison for corruption offences related to selling state gifts below market value. The gifts, including luxury jewelry from Saudi Arabia's crown prince, were undervalued by over $275,000. Pakistani law mandates officials pay market value and declare sales proceeds for such gifts. This ruling follows an earlier case where Khan and his wife got 14 and 7 years respectively, consolidating substantial legal penalties that undermine Khan's political standing. The verdict has sparked controversy, with Khan's legal team and party accusing the judiciary of selective persecution amid Pakistan's polarized politics.

Key insights

  • 1

    Judicial decisions reflect Pakistan's politicized environment: Khan's multiple convictions and subsequent sentences illustrate Pakistan's judiciary becoming a tool in political conflicts, deepening divisions and impacting political leadership stability.

  • 2

    State gift laws act as leverage in high-profile corruption cases: Pakistani gift laws regulate the retention and sale of foreign gifts by officials, creating legal vulnerabilities that can serve as grounds for politically contested prosecutions.

  • 3

    Closed-door trial processes fuel doubts over judicial transparency: Barring Khan's family from the courtroom and holding proceedings in prison raise concerns over fairness, potentially undermining public trust in Pakistan's rule of law.

Takeaways

The sentencing signals continued legal and political challenges for Imran Khan and underscores the contentious role of Pakistan's judiciary in political affairs.

Topics

World & Politics Policy & Regulation International Affairs Governance

Read the full article on DW

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