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Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to three years in prison in...
Digital Desk: In a significant turn of events, former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to three years in prison in the Toshakhana corruption case. The trial court in Islamabad found Imran Khan, also the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), guilty of engaging in "corrupt practices" related to the Toshakhana case. The verdict comes as a blow to Khan's political career and the PTI party, shaking the country's political landscape.
The court ruled that Imran Khan deliberately submitted false details to the Election Commission of Pakistan regarding gifts he received while serving as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The charges against Khan were deemed substantiated by Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Humayun Dilawar during the recent hearing. Khan's actions were characterized as "corrupt practices," leading to his conviction and subsequent imprisonment.
Alongside the prison sentence, the court imposed a fine of Rs100,000 against Imran Khan. Failure to pay the fine would result in an additional six months of imprisonment. The verdict also brings a five-year disqualification from politics for Khan, further limiting his ability to participate in public office due to his conviction.
In response to the court's ruling, Khan was arrested in Lahore under the watchful eye of heavy security forces. He was then transferred to Kot Lakhpat Jail to serve his sentence. This move marks a significant downfall for a figure who once held the country's highest political office and commanded substantial influence.
The Toshakhana case revolves around a criminal complaint filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on May 10. The complaint alleged that Imran Khan had concealed crucial information about the gifts he received in the Toshakhana, a department under the Cabinet Division responsible for storing gifts given to rulers and government officials by foreign dignitaries.
The verdict arrives in the wake of the Islamabad High Court's decision to set aside a session court's ruling that upheld the maintainability of the Toshakhana case for criminal proceedings against Khan. This legal battle underscores the gravity of the charges against the former Prime Minister.
The Toshakhana issue became a major point of contention in national politics, eventually leading to Imran Khan's disqualification by the Election Commission of Pakistan on October 21, 2022. The allegations were centered on Khan's failure to provide accurate information and declarations concerning the gifts he retained from the Toshakhana during his tenure as Prime Minister.
The political and social repercussions of Imran Khan's conviction are expected to be significant. With his removal from politics, the PTI party will need to chart a new course in his absence, while opposition parties are likely to use this development to assert their influence. As Pakistan absorbs this verdict, the nation's political landscape is poised for transformative shifts.
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