Pakistani ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi face imprisonment due to conviction on corruption-related charges.
Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of South Asia, is currently embroiled in a series of legal cases that have significantly impacted his political career and the upcoming election landscape in Pakistan.
After his arrest in May 2023, Khan was convicted in a series of cases, including leaking state secrets, the Toshakhana case, the Iddat marriage case, and the Al-Qadir trust case. Some convictions were later overturned or acquittals granted, but he remains detained due to ongoing cases, including the cypher case under the Official Secrets Act.
In June 2025, Pakistan's Supreme Court ruled that Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is ineligible for reserved seats in national and provincial legislatures. This decision, which nullified a previous ruling allowing reserved seats for women and minorities, has strengthened the ruling government and delivered a significant setback to Khan's party amid ongoing legal and political challenges.
The legal battles and political decisions surrounding Khan have intensified domestic political tensions and drawn international scrutiny. Khan's family and party describe his imprisonment as politically motivated, with efforts underway to challenge his detention nationally and internationally. His sons are actively lobbying in the US to highlight his situation and Pakistan's human rights record.
The recent court case focused on allegations of receiving state gifts during Khan's tenure. Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have consistently denied accusations of selling or retaining state gifts for personal gain. Bibi surrendered at the jail on Wednesday, while the judge delivered the verdicts in their absence. Khan's lawyers claim he was not given a fair opportunity to defend himself in the trial.
PTI deems the cases against Imran Khan as baseless and alleges that the trials occurred in rushed "kangaroo courts" under duress. Thousands of PTI supporters were detained after Khan's arrest in May. Many PTI leaders are detained or have defected, and candidates are running as independents.
Despite the challenges, Khan has urged his followers to seek justice through their votes on February 8 peacefully. Concerns about the election's credibility are widespread, with Khan and his party marginalized. Nawaz Sharif, a three-time former PM, is currently favored to win the upcoming election.
[1] References omitted for brevity.
In the context of Imran Khan's ongoing legal battles, discussions surrounding politics, general news, and crime and justice have significantly increased. The recent court case involving allegations of selling or retaining state gifts during Khan's tenure has further fueled these discussions.
