Former Pakistan cricketer and Prime Minister Imran Khan has been arrested and jailed for three years on corruption charges. Khan, who led Pakistan from 2018 to 2021, was convicted by a district and sessions court in Islamabad on Saturday for illegally selling state gifts that he received from foreign dignitaries during his tenure.
The case, known as the Toshakhana case, involved the sale of luxury vehicles, watches, jewellery and other items that were meant to be deposited in the state treasury. Khan was accused of receiving these gifts from the former presidents of Libya and Egypt, Muammar Gaddafi and Hosni Mubarak, as well as the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
However, the former World Cup winner denied the charges and claimed that he had sold the gifts to pay off his debts. He also alleged that the case was politically motivated and aimed at disqualifying him from contesting future elections. Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), called the verdict “unjust” and “biased” and said that it would challenge it in the higher courts.
Khan’s opponents, however, have welcomed the verdict and called it a “victory of justice” and a “lesson for the corrupt”. They have accused Khan of being a “hypocrite” and a “liar” who betrayed the trust of the people. They have also demanded that he should be held accountable for all his misdeeds and face more severe punishment.
A political career marred by controversies
Khan’s arrest came as a fresh blow to his political career, which has been marred by controversies and scandals.
Notably, Khan was ousted from power in 2021 after losing a confidence vote in the parliament following a rift with his coalition partners over economic policies and governance issues. He also faced several other corruption cases, including one related to his offshore assets revealed by the Panama Papers leak.
Follow InsideSport on GOOGLE NEWS
Editor's Pick
Top Stories
