Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan sentenced to three years jail

Police arrested Pakistani former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the eastern city of Lahore on Saturday, his lawyer said, after a court sentenced him to three years in prison for illegally selling state gifts.

The court order states that he will be imprisoned in the central jail in Adyala, Rawalpindi.

Legal experts say a conviction in the case could end Khan's chances of participating in national elections that have to be held before early November.

Khan's political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said in a statement they had already filed an appeal in the country's Supreme Court over the district court case.

Local media and a Reuters witness described police surrounding Khan's residence in Lahore after the verdict was released.

The sentence relates to an inquiry conducted by the election commission, which found Khan guilty of unlawfully selling state gifts during his tenure as prime minister from 2018 to 2022.

Khan has denied any wrongdoing.

The 70-year-old cricketer-turned-politician was accused of misusing his premiership to buy and sell gifts in state possession that were received during visits abroad and worth more than 140 million Pakistani rupees (AED 1.8 million).

More from International news

News

  • Light rain forecast for parts of UAE

    Weather authorities have forecasted unstable weather conditions in the UAE from November 3 to November 7, with a chance of light to moderate rainfall in some areas as the season transitions from autumn to winter.

  • UAE President oversees MoU agreement to enhance AI and energy sector

    UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held collaborative talks with Doug Burgum, Secretary of the US Department of the Interior and Chairman of the National Energy Dominance Council following an MoU agreement on boosting AI and energy sectors between the two nations.

  • Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives resumes food aid to Gaza

    In line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) has announced the resumption of food aid deliveries worth AED43 million to the Gaza Strip,