Former Pakistani Premier Imran Khan, along with his lawyer, met in a high-security prison to strategize on challenging the graft case that led to his incarceration more than a year after being ousted from power. Khan, a revered national cricket hero and prominent opposition leader, received a surprising three-year sentence for concealing assets obtained from selling state gifts during his tenure as prime minister. The verdict poses a potential hurdle to his political future, as Pakistani law bars anyone with a criminal conviction from holding or running for public office, putting his chairmanship of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party at risk.
Despite the difficult conditions in the prison, Khan remains in good spirits and maintains high morale, as shared by his lawyer, Naeem Haider Panjutha. The lawyer insists that Khan deserves better facilities while incarcerated in a small room without air conditioning, plagued by flies during the day and insects at night. During the meeting, Khan authorized his lawyer to file a petition with the Islamabad High Court to challenge the conviction. His legal team has already sought improved prison facilities for him through another court petition.
Khan also expressed a desire to see his wife, Bushra Bibi, and his personal physician, and these requests will be submitted to the prison authorities. He finds solace in prayer and reciting the Quran, expressing appreciation for the unwavering support of his followers and urging them to continue peaceful protests against his imprisonment.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi, leading Khan’s party in his absence, condemns the harsh prison conditions, claiming that Khan’s basic rights are being denied. However, it remains uncertain whether Khan will serve the entire three-year sentence in Attock, as authorities have heightened security measures around the prison, blocking access and media coverage.
Khan’s imprisonment has been marred by controversy since his arrest on corruption charges in May, leading to violent protests across the country. Although the Supreme Court ordered his release shortly after, the recent sentencing has not sparked the mass protests Khan had hoped for. Nonetheless, some supporters gathered outside Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, to denounce the arrest.
Khan alleges that his ousting from power was part of a conspiracy involving Washington, his successor Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government, and the Pakistani military. These allegations have been denied by all parties involved, fueling further debates and unrest.
Panjutha also shared Khan’s account of the dramatic arrest, where security forces forcefully apprehended him from his home in Lahore, breaking down his bedroom door and forcibly taking him into custody.
