Over a hundred members of Imran Khan's former political party have been imprisoned due to their involvement in the 2023 riots in Pakistan.
Imran Khan and PTI Leaders Sentenced to Prison Terms
In a series of rulings by Pakistani anti-terrorism courts, Imran Khan and several senior members of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have been sentenced to prison terms starting from July 2025. The convictions are linked to violent protests and riots that occurred on May 9, 2023, when Khan supporters attacked government and military sites in response to his arrest on corruption charges.
Over 100 PTI members, including notable leaders such as Omar Ayub Khan (opposition leader in the National Assembly), Shibli Faraz (opposition leader in the Senate), and Zartaj Gul Wazir (parliamentary leader), were convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from one to ten years[1][2][3].
Imran Khan himself has been in jail for nearly two years facing separate trials on similar charges, including incitement of unrest connected to the same events. Since his initial arrest in May 2023, Khan has been convicted in several cases:
- 10 years for leaking state secrets in January 2024
- 14 years related to the Toshakhana case in March 2024
- 7 years in the Iddat marriage case in March 2024
- 14 years in the Al-Qadir Trust case in January 2025
These sentences have been widely described by PTI supporters and allies as politically motivated and damaging to democracy. The party claims the prosecutions and convictions are part of a "false flag operation" to unjustly target them[1][2][3][4].
The anti-terrorism courts have been the main venue for these verdicts, often criticized for their harsh sentencing of opposition leaders. PTI officials have indicated they will appeal these rulings[1][2][3][4].
Meanwhile, at least 77 individuals were acquitted for lack of evidence in the latest verdict. This verdict is linked to an attack on an intelligence agency's office in Faisalabad[1][2][3][4].
The situation remains politically charged, and many observers regard it as a severe blow to democratic opposition in Pakistan. The military has denied any involvement in the alleged crackdown.
Summary of charges faced by Imran Khan and PTI members:
| Defendant | Charges | Sentence | Case/Event | |---------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|------------------|--------------------------------------| | Imran Khan | Corruption (Toshakhana), leaking state secrets, others | Various (7 to 14 years per case); total multiple years | Several corruption-related trials since May 2023 | | PTI senior leaders (100+) | Abetting violence, instigating riots, terrorism-related charges | 10 years | May 9, 2023 violent protests targeting govt and military | | Omar Ayub Khan (MP) | Abetting violence, conspiracy to incite riots | 10 years | May 9, 2023 protests | | Shibli Faraz (Senator) | Similar charges as above | 10 years | May 9, 2023 protests |
1. The sentence for Imran Khan and other PTI leaders, including Omar Ayub Khan, Shibli Faraz, and Zartaj Gul Wazir, may impact the health and well-being of these political figures, as they are set to serve prison terms starting from July 2025.
2. The sentencing of Imran Khan and PTI leaders has sparked debates in the realm of politics, with supporters and allies contending that the convictions are politically motivated, potentially influencing the course of democracy.
3. Besides corruption charges, Imran Khan has also been sentenced for leaking state secrets, a decision that raises concerns in media circles, falling under the category of general-news and crime-and-justice.
4. As business and economic activities continue in Pakistan, the political developments involving Imran Khan and his party could have implications on the country's overall sports and health sectors, given the potential impact on governance and society.
