Islamabad, January 17 — Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have been convicted in a high-profile corruption case involving the Al-Qadir Trust. The court sentenced Imran Khan to 14 years in prison, while Bushra Bibi received a 7-year prison term. Both were also fined significant amounts as part of the judgment.

According to reports by Geo News and Dawn, the court imposed a fine of 1 million Pakistani Rupees on Imran Khan and 500,000 Rupees on Bushra Bibi. The case revolves around allegations of abuse of power during Imran Khan’s tenure as prime minister from 2018 to 2022. It was alleged that the couple used their influence to secure personal benefits under the guise of the Al-Qadir University project.

The scandal centers on the acceptance of land from property tycoon Malik Riaz for the establishment of Al-Qadir University, intended as a charitable educational institution. However, accusations emerged that the project was politically motivated and served as a front for illicit activities, including the laundering of over $239 million.

Imran Khan was ousted from office in 2022 following a no-confidence vote, after which multiple legal cases were filed against him. While some cases were dismissed or put on hold, the Al-Qadir Trust case has been particularly contentious. It involved over a hundred court hearings and the presentation of thousands of pages of documentation.

Imran Khan’s lawyer, Faisal Fareed Chaudhry, criticized the verdict, labeling it as politically motivated and claiming that the case was filed without substantial evidence. He argued that the trial was designed to target Imran Khan and his political legacy.

Political analysts, including Majid Nizami, have expressed concern that this ruling will further complicate Pakistan’s already tumultuous political landscape. The judgment is expected to ignite further debates and polarize public opinion in a country already grappling with political instability.