Pakistan’s Ex-PM Receives Three-Year Jail Verdict

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been given a three-year jail sentence over corruption allegations.

Mr Khan was found guilty of not declaring money earned from selling gifts he received in office. He denies the charges and says he will appeal.

After the verdict, Mr Khan was taken into custody from his home in Lahore.

In a pre-recorded statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, he told his supporters: “I have only one appeal, don’t sit at home silently.”

The former cricketer-turned-politician was elected in 2018 but was ousted in a no-confidence vote last year after falling out with Pakistan’s powerful military.

Mr Khan is facing more than 100 cases brought against him since his removal charges he says are politically motivated.

Saturday’s verdict centred on charges that he incorrectly declared details of presents from foreign dignitaries and proceeds from their alleged sale.

The gifts were reported to be worth more than 140m Pakistani rupees ($635,000; £500,000) including Rolex watches, a ring, and a pair of cuff links.

Mr Khan’s barrister Gohar Khan said the verdict was “a murder of justice”

“We weren’t even given a chance. We weren’t even allowed to cross-examine, say anything in defence or conduct our arguments. I haven’t seen this kind of injustice before,” he said.

Meanwhile, As the court decision was announced, a crowd, which included some prosecuting lawyers, began chanting “Imran Khan is a thief” outside the building.

His party, Tehreek-e-Insaf, confirmed that after being arrested in Lahore, Mr Khan was flown to the capital, Islamabad, to begin serving his sentence.

Reports say for months he had avoided arrest, with his supporters at times fighting pitched battles with police to keep him out of custody.

In May, Mr Khan was arrested for not appearing in court as requested. He was then released, with the arrest declared illegal.

Since then, his party has been under intense pressure from the authorities.

Many senior officials have left and thousands of supporters have been arrested, accused of being involved in the protests that followed Mr Khan’s arrest.

Pakistan’s army plays a prominent role in politics, sometimes seizing power in military coups, and, on other occasions, pulling levers behind the scenes.

Many analysts believe Mr Khan’s election win in 2018 happened with the help of the military.

Since being ousted, Mr Khan has been campaigning for early elections.

A conviction would disqualify Mr Khan from standing for office, possibly for life.

The report says Pakistan’s parliament will be dissolved on August 9, leaving a caretaker government to take over in the run-up to the elections.

No election date has been announced, although constitutionally they should take place by early November.

BBC/Christopher Ojilere