ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his party deputy have been sentenced to 10 years in prison each after being found guilty of revealing official secrets. The verdict, announced by a special court set up at the prison in Rawalpindi where Khan is held, has drawn swift criticism from his followers.
This is another blow for Khan, the former cricket star turned Islamist politician, who was ousted from office in April 2022 and is currently serving a three-year prison sentence in a corruption case. Khan’s legal team plans to appeal the conviction on Wednesday.
The sentencing comes just ahead of the parliamentary elections in Pakistan scheduled for February 8th. Although Khan is barred from running due to his previous criminal conviction, he remains a potent political force with a strong grassroots following and anti-establishment rhetoric.
Pakistan has seen violent demonstrations since Khan’s arrest in May 2023, and his supporters and party have faced crackdowns from authorities. The country’s human rights commission has expressed concern about the upcoming elections, citing “pre-poll rigging” and the rejection of candidacies from Khan and senior figures of his party.
The case against Khan, known as the Cipher, is just one of the over 150 cases he is facing. Other charges include contempt of court, terrorism, and inciting violence. In the Cipher case, Khan is accused of waving a confidential document, a classified cable, at a rally after his ouster. The document, which has not been made public, is believed to be diplomatic correspondence between the Pakistani ambassador to Washington and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad. Khan claims the document provided evidence of being threatened and that his ouster was part of a U.S. conspiracy, allegations that have been denied by both Washington and Pakistani officials.
Khan’s party has publicly expressed support for him and his deputy, describing the proceedings as a “sham trial” and alleging that their lawyers were not allowed to defend them. However, the party has urged supporters to remain peaceful and pursue legal channels for appeal.
Political analyst Muhammad Ali believes that the verdict was expected and that both Khan and his deputy had damaged Pakistan’s diplomatic ties with the United States and embarrassed the then-Pakistani Ambassador to the United States.
The sentencing of Khan and his party deputy adds another layer of complexity to the already tense political landscape in Pakistan, as the country prepares for the upcoming elections amid accusations of pre-poll rigging and limited political freedom. The outcome of Khan’s appeal will undoubtedly have significant implications for the country’s political future.