Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been granted bail by the Islamabad High Court in a land corruption case. However, his lawyer said the former cricket star will continue to serve time in prison as he was convicted in two other cases.
Khan, who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, was indicted last week on charges that he received land gifts from a real estate developer in exchange for illegal favors while in office. Despite denying any wrongdoing, Khan has faced a number of legal challenges since his ouster in 2022, including charges of inciting violence against the state after being removed by a vote of no confidence in parliament. There is.
The case in which Mr. Khan was granted bail centers around Al Qadir Trust, an NGO he and his wife founded while in office. Prosecutors allege the trust was used as a front to receive bribes in the form of land from real estate developers. The land includes 60 acres (24 hectares) near Islamabad and another large tract of land near Mr Khan’s hilltop residence in the capital.
Although he was granted bail in the land corruption case, Khan remains in prison after being convicted in other cases involving leaking state secrets and violating Islamic law through marriage. The former prime minister has been imprisoned since August last year, and was found guilty on four charges, with sentences suspended for two.
Following his bail, Khan’s media team issued a statement claiming that the land in question was not for personal gain but for the purpose of establishing a religious and scientific educational institution. They also claimed that the case against Mr. Khan was politically motivated and aimed at imprisoning him and preventing him from participating in future elections.
Despite facing legal challenges, Mr Khan’s party secured the most seats in the February 8 national election. However, they were unable to form a government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and a coalition of his rivals.
Mr Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi is also in prison in connection with their 2018 marriage.
melissa enoch
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