Metropolis Desk-
Imran Khan, the former prime minister of Pakistan, has called for widespread protests after being sentenced to three years in prison on corruption-related charges.
Mr. Khan was found guilty of failing to report the proceeds from the sale of goods he acquired while serving in office. He claims he will appeal and disputes the accusations.
After the decision, Mr. Khan was arrested and brought from his Lahore house.
He urged supporters to challenge the decision in a pre-recorded statement that was posted online following the verdict.
In a video speech posted to X, then known as Twitter, he urged people not to stay home alone. He continued, “I’m fighting for you, the nation, and the future of your kids.”
The 70-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician was chosen in 2018 but was later removed in a vote of no confidence the following year due to disagreements with Pakistan’s potent military.
Since his dismissal, Mr. Khan has had more than 100 complaints initiated against him, all of which he claims are politically motivated.
The claims that he misdeclared information about gifts from foreign dignitaries and the revenues of their purported sale were the focus of Saturday’s verdict.
Rolex watches, a ring, and a set of cuff links were among the gifts, which were said to be valued at about 140 million Pakistani rupees ($635,000; £500,000).
His dishonesty has been shown beyond a reasonable doubt, according to Judge Humayun Dilawar’s verdict. Some pro-government protesters screamed “Your show is over Khan” outside the courts.
The police had been told to arrest Mr. Khan right away, according to Judge Dilawar. Within 15 minutes following the verdict, videos of a procession of police cars and trucks transporting him appeared on social media.
The trial had been conducted by “a kangaroo-type court,” according to Imran Khan’s attorney, Intazar Hussain Panjutha, who told the BBC that “the accused was never allowed to defend himself.”
“As a consequence of today’s conviction, he has been barred to take part in politics for five years,” Mr Panjutha said.
“But if the sentence and the conviction are suspended as we are hoping by the superior courts, he will then be able to come back to politics.”
Mr. Khan has been sent to Attock jail, a small facility in Punjab province with historical ties to the military, about 85km (52 miles) from the capital Islamabad. Several members of Mr. Khan’s party have previously been held at the compound, local media reported.
When he was last arrested on 9 May, there were protests across Pakistan.
Since then, Mr. Khan and his political party have faced a dramatic crackdown, with many of his senior leadership arrested, before announcing they were leaving the party.
Thousands of his supporters arrested were alleged to have been involved in the protests. Some will face trial in military courts, despite an outcry from many human rights groups. When questioned by BBC HARDTalk as to whether he had created an atmosphere of hostility to the military resulting in violence, Mr. Khan said he and his party had never advocated the use of violence and had a record of peaceful protest.
Mr. Khan said the army in Pakistan was “petrified” of elections which his party would win “hands down” and, for that reason, “they’re dismantling a democracy”.
For months he had avoided arrest, with his supporters at times fighting pitched battles with police to keep him out of custody.
In May, Mr. Khan was arrested for not appearing in court as requested. He was then released, with the arrest declared illegal.
The Pakistani army is heavily involved in politics, sometimes taking control through military coups and other times working behind the scenes.
Many analysts think the military played a role in Mr. Khan’s victory in the 2018 election.
He has been one of the army’s most outspoken detractors in opposition, and according to observers, support for the army has decreased.
Mr. Khan has been pushing for early elections ever since he was dismissed.
On August 9, Pakistan’s parliament will be dissolved, and a caretaker administration would lead the country until the elections.
Although they should happen by early November according to the constitution, no election date has been set.
On the other hand, the nation’s law minister stated on Saturday that new elections will need to be held following the implementation of the results of a new census.
Producing new constituency boundaries based on the count might take roughly four months, according to Azam Nazeer Tarar, who spoke to Geo News TV. This could push back the election by many months.
Source- BBC News
