ISLAMABAD (AP) — A Pakistani appeals court on Monday acquitted former prime minister Imran Khan of leaking state secrets, his lawyer said, but the popular opposition leader will remain behind bars for the rest of his life as he serves multiple prison sentences and awaits the resolution of a number of pending cases.
Khan is He was convicted of treason in January. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the incident. Well known as the crypto caseIn that case, he was accused of leaking state secrets by brandishing classified documents at a protest rally.
the government Document DisclosureHowever, it is believed to be a diplomatic note between Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington and the foreign ministry in Islamabad.
Khan said the document was evidence of blackmail. A vote of no confidence in April 2022 will see him ousted. It was allegedly a US plot carried out by the Pakistani military and government, a claim denied by US and Pakistani officials.
Khan, a former cricketer turned Islamist politician who served as prime minister from 2018 until his ouster, remains a popular opposition figure.
The Islamabad High Court did not provide details about its acquittal on Monday. Its order called for the January ruling to be set aside, although the prosecution can still appeal the acquittal.
“Unless he is otherwise incarcerated, he will be released immediately,” the order concludes.
One of Khan’s lawyers, Intazar Hussain Panjuta, welcomed the verdict and said the prosecution had failed to prove its case in open court.
Though a victory, this development changes nothing for Khan and he will remain in prison. He has been convicted in four cases and is awaiting trial in more than 150 cases. Lawsuits filed against him since his exile.
Last year in Pakistan Violent protests after arrests Since then, the government has cracked down on his supporters and parties.
