© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan, gestures as he speaks to the members of the media at his residence in Lahore, Pakistan Could 18, 2023. REUTERS/Mohsin Raza/File Picture
By Asif Shahzad
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi have been every sentenced to 14 years in jail in a case associated to unlawful promoting of state presents, his get together stated on Wednesday.
The decision additionally features a 10-year disqualification from holding public workplace, his get together, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) media group stated.
The sentencing by an anti-graft court docket in Islamabad comes a day after Khan was handed a 10-year jail time period in one other case through which he was convicted of showing state secrets and techniques, and every week earlier than nationwide elections.
“Another sad day in our judicial system history, which is being dismantled,” Khan’s media group stated.
“No cross questioning allowed, no final argument concluded and decision pops up like a pre-determined process in play,” it stated, including “This ridiculous decision will also be challenged.”
Khan was additionally handed a three-year jail sentence in August by one other court docket for promoting presents price greater than 140 million rupees ($501,000) in state possession and acquired throughout his 2018-2022 premiership.
Wednesday’s verdict was linked to the identical matter, however adopted an investigation by the nation’s prime anti-graft physique, the Nationwide Accountability Bureau (NAB), which had additionally charged his spouse within the case.
A prosecution group member, chatting with Reuters on the situation of anonymity, confirmed the decision.
Khan’s earlier three-year sentence was later suspended however Khan stays behind bars in reference to different circumstances. He has stated that he legally bought the state presents.
Authorities officers have alleged Khan’s aides bought the presents in Dubai.