Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, spent the night in a high-security prison after being sentenced to three years in jail for corruption. This development poses a significant threat to his political future.
The court ruled on Saturday that Khan, despite being ousted in a no-confidence vote in April 2022, had concealed assets following the sale of state gifts. This jail sentence could potentially disqualify him from participating in politics, as Pakistani law prohibits individuals with criminal convictions from holding or running for public office. Moreover, he may lose his position as chairman of the political party he founded, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
This is the second time this year that Khan has faced detention, following in the footsteps of other former Pakistani prime ministers who have experienced military interventions throughout the country’s political history. However, his current confinement at Attock prison, situated in eastern Punjab province, is considerably different from his previous custodial conditions. In May, he was taken to a well-appointed guesthouse on a police compound in Islamabad, allowing visitors and meetings with party colleagues.
Attock prison is notorious for its harsh conditions and houses convicted militants. Security measures around the prison have been further tightened, with armed guards in watchtowers and erected barriers to deter access. Authorities have also warned locals not to allow media on their rooftops to prevent the leakage of photographs and videos.
Khan’s political party, PTI, is determined to appeal the verdict, pointing out “plenty of loopholes in the verdict,” as stated by PTI lawyer Shoaib Shaheen.
Critics argue that Khan’s detention is politically motivated, particularly in the lead-up to the upcoming elections later this year. His popularity, large support base, and ability to mobilize massive crowds are seen as threats to the ruling coalition and its backers in Pakistan’s powerful military, which has historically been the final arbiter of the country’s politics since independence from Britain in 1947.
In a previous instance, Khan’s arrest on corruption charges sparked violent protests across the country. Pakistan’s Supreme Court subsequently ordered his release, deeming the arrest illegal.