Pakistan’s former leader Imran Khan sentenced to 14 years in prison, a day after being jailed for 10 years
Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) — Pakistan’s incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for corruption, his Pakistan Tehreef-e-Insaaf (PTI) party said Wednesday, in the second legal blow to beset the beleaguered politician this week.
Posted — UpdatedKhan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were convicted by the National Accountability Bureau in a case related to the unlawful sale of state gifts during his tenure as prime minister from 2018 to 2022.
Khan, who has been jailed since August on several charges, has also been barred from holding office for 10 years, the PTI said.
Wednesday’s sentencing comes almost one week away from a general election expected on February 8 and just a day after Khan was handed a 10-year sentence for leaking state secrets. Khan will be allowed to serve his sentences concurrently.
“Another sad day in our judicial system history, which is being dismantled,” the statement said, adding “this ridiculous decision will also be challenged.”
Khan was sentenced to three years in prison and barred from holding office for five years last August in the same case by the Election Commission of Pakistan. That conviction was later suspended.
The former cricketer turned politician has been embroiled in political controversy since he was dramatically ousted in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022.
He maintains the charges against him are politically motivated, an allegation authorities deny.
Despite his slew of legal battles and being unable to stand in the upcoming election, Khan maintains widespread popularly among Pakistan’s largely young voters.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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