Islamabad: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were sentenced to prison on Friday in a land corruption case, according to Pakistani broadcaster ARY News. “Khan is convicted,” said Judge Nasir Javed Rana, announcing a 14 year prison term for Khan and a seven year prison term for Bibi.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in December 2023 filed the case against Khan (72), Bibi (50) and six others, accusing them of causing a loss to the tune of 190 million pounds (PRs50 billion) to the national kitty.
The anti-corruption court, which delivered the verdict, held proceedings at a prison in Rawalpindi, the garrison city where Khan has been detained since August 2023. This case represents the most significant financial corruption allegation against the former leader.
The case revolves around allegations that an amount of PRs 50 billion, returned to Pakistan by the UK’s National Crime Agency as part of a settlement with a property tycoon, was misused.
The funds were reportedly intended for the national treasury but were allegedly redirected for the personal benefit of the businessman who helped Bibi and Khan to set up a university.
Bibi, as a trustee of the Al-Qadir Trust, is accused of benefiting from this settlement, including acquiring 458 kanals of land for Al-Qadir University in Jhelum.
