Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is jailed for three years for illegally selling state gifts

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been jailed for three years for illegally selling state gifts he received while premier.

Legal experts say a conviction in the case could end Khan’s chances of participating in national elections that have to be held before early November.

‘Judge Humayun Dilawar announced that involvement in corrupt practices has been proven,’ Pakistan TV said.

Khan was not present for the hearing at the Islamabad High Court, and the judge ordered his immediate arrest. 

The 70-year-old cricketer-turned-politician was arrested at his home after police descended on his residence in Lahore – Pakistan’s second biggest city. He will now be taken to the capital, Islamabad.

Khan is facing over 150 cases brought against him since being ousted in April last year – charges he says are politically motivated. Khan’s legal team said they would be filing an immediate appeal.

A Pakistani trial court sentenced ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan (pictured) to three years in prison for illegally selling state gifts, local media channels said on Saturday

Legal experts say a conviction in the case could end Khan’s chances of participating in national elections that have to be held before early November. Pictured: Khan leaves the Supreme Court in Islamabad on July 24

‘It’s important to mention there was no chance given to present witnesses, neither was time allotted to round up arguments,’ a member of the team said.

The sentence relates to an inquiry conducted by the election commission, which found Khan guilty of unlawfully selling state gifts during his tenure as prime minister from 2018 to 2022. Khan – who was ousted after a no-confidence vote in parliament in April 2022 – denies any wrongdoing.

The former Pakistan PM is accused of misusing his premiership to buy and sell gifts in state possession that were received during visits abroad and worth more than 140 million Pakistani rupees.

His dramatic arrest in May – where he was filmed being forcibly removed from court by security officers – sparked nationwide violent demonstrations by his supporters in almost all of the country’s major cities. 

Hundreds of protesters were arrested after government and military property was attacked and at least eight people died as unrest gripped Pakistan.

Among the hundreds of cases brought against him, several involve corruption, terrorism and inciting people to violence over the deadly protests.

Violence erupted when Khan was arrested in May. Pictured: Police officers detain a supporter of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan as they protest against his arrest, in Islamabad, Pakistan, on May 9, 2023

Flames rise from the Radio Pakistan premises after it was set on fire during clashes between police and supporters of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan protesting against his arrest, in Peshawar, Pakistan, on May 9, 2023. He has now been jailed