Pakistan's imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan's supporters hold Khan's portrait during a protest in Lahore on January 17, 2025.
AFP
In a high-stakes courtroom session at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were sentenced in the £190 million case by an accountability court.
Khan, 72, was sentenced to 14 years in prison, while Bushra Bibi was handed seven years in prison, according to the verdict read out inside Rawalpindi's central prison Adiala where the hearing took place.
The 19-minute hearing, marked by defiant remarks, emotional moments, and a consequential verdict, left the nation abuzz.
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From early morning, Adiala jail was transformed into a heavily fortified zone. Security was heightened, and journalists gathered in large numbers to cover the high-profile event. However, only those approved by the jail superintendent were allowed inside.
Judge Nasser Javed Rana arrived at 10 a.m., followed by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officials and Imran Khan’s legal team, including Salman Safdar, Shoaib Shaheen, and Ali Zafar. Salman Akram Raja was notably denied entry, sparking questions among observers.
Arrival of Imran and Bushra
Bushra Bibi arrived at 10:30 a.m., escorted by female police officers and maintaining a composed demeanor. Imran Khan entered the courtroom at 11:35 a.m., wearing a tracksuit and exuding confidence. Upon noticing the unusually large number of journalists, he quipped with a smile, “So many journalists today! Were they specially invited?”
Pakistani security personnel stand guard next to a vehicle carrying Bushra Bibi, the wife of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan, outside Adyala jail in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, January 17, 2025.Reuters
When asked about the impending verdict, he responded: “It doesn’t matter whether it’s one year or ten. The entire system has been destroyed. Those who obey the dictator are forgiven all sins, while those who resist face persecution. Zardari and Nawaz Sharif’s offshore properties go unquestioned, yet here I am.”
The verdict
Judge Nasser Javed Rana opened the proceedings with a clear and firm statement: “The accused Imran Ahmed Khan is hereby held guilty of corruption and corrupt practices as defined in the NAB Ordinance. He is convicted and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for 14 years and a fine of PKR 1 million.”
Turning to Bushra Bibi, the judge continued: “The accused Bushra Imran is hereby held guilty of aiding, assisting, and abetting, as defined in the NAB Ordinance. She is convicted and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for seven years and a fine of PKR 500,000.”
Nadia Khattak, an activist of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), weeps following Khan's 14-year jail sentence in a land corruption case, outside Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, January 17, 2025.Reuters
Calm amidst chaos
Despite the gravity of the situation, both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi remained composed. Sitting side by side, Bushra Bibi unwrapped a chocolate bar and casually offered it to her husband. Smiling faintly, he declined, saying, “I’m not in the mood.”
As the proceedings concluded, Imran Khan stood and addressed the room with his trademark defiance: “This is dictatorship, not justice. The judicial system of Pakistan has been destroyed. This case, involving 190 million rupees, neither benefited me nor harmed the government. It’s just a ploy to pressure me into a deal, but I won’t negotiate.
Aleema Khanum, sister of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan, speaks to the media following Khan's 14-year jail sentence in a land corruption case, outside Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, January 17, 2025. Reuters
“They’ve even dragged my wife into this. She has no connection to politics, but I’m proud of her strong faith and support. Unlike the cases against Benazir Bhutto and Maryam Nawaz—targeted due to their political involvement—my wife is being punished simply for standing by my side.”
Drawing a historical comparison, he added: “Today’s decision is no different from Yahya Khan’s actions in 1971, which destroyed the country for his own gains. The current dictator is making the same mistake.”
As Imran Khan finished speaking, security officials swiftly escorted journalists out of the courtroom. Bushra Bibi was taken into custody under heavy guard, marking the conclusion of a dramatic and consequential day at Adiala jail.
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