Political situation in Pakistan

14 years in prison for Pakistan's former prime minister

Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for corruption, Reuters reports. Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, has also been sentenced to seven years in prison in the same case, according to AFP.

Khan has been in custody since August 2023, accused of crimes in more than 200 cases that he describes as politically motivated in order to stop him from regaining power in the country.

Bushra Bibi, who was previously in custody but released, was arrested again in the courtroom after the verdict was delivered.

"Will not enter into a deal or seek leniency"

Imran Khan will not "enter into any deal" with the authorities or seek any form of leniency. The Pakistani ex-prime minister announced this after the 14-year prison sentence was announced on Friday, several news agencies report.

Opposition leader and party colleague Omar Ayub, however, has announced that the party will challenge the verdict.

“These are fabricated charges, and we will appeal this decision,” he said, according to AFP.

Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, was also sentenced to seven years in prison in the corruption case. She was arrested on the spot in court, according to a spokesman.