A significant ruling, originally slated for Thursday, regarding an appeal by former Prime Minister Imran Khan against his recent graft case conviction and three-year sentence, has been delayed for a day by a court in Pakistan’s capital, according to one of his lawyers.
Khan’s legal team has announced that the Islamabad High Court will reconvene for the hearing on Khan’s appeal on Friday.
Imran Khan, the former cricket star and prominent opposition leader, was found guilty of concealing assets acquired from state gifts during his time in office. He was convicted and sentenced on August 5 by another court. Khan, currently incarcerated in a high-security Attock prison in eastern Punjab province since his ousting in April 2022, has petitioned for his release, citing the trial court’s rushed judgment. However, even if his conviction is overturned, his release remains uncertain due to other courts revoking his bail in multiple cases.
Khan vehemently denies any corruption charges, asserting that he did not breach any laws.
During Thursday’s proceedings, Khan’s legal team, which includes prominent lawyers such as Babar Awan, Latif Khosa, and Naeem Haider Panjutha, concluded their arguments. The court adjourned the hearing when Amjad Pervez, a prosecutor, requested three hours to present opposition to Khan’s appeal.
Before the court hearing, Khan’s lawyer, Panjutha, expressed optimism for Khan’s potential release on X, formerly known as Twitter. Despite his conviction and imprisonment, Khan remains a popular figure in Pakistan, and his opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, is expected to pose a formidable challenge to political rivals in upcoming elections.
However, Khan’s eligibility to run in the elections hinges on the success of his appeal and subsequent release from prison.
In August, Pakistan’s Election Commission barred Khan from seeking office for five years based on his conviction and sentence. According to Pakistan’s laws, individuals with convictions are ineligible to lead a political party, contest elections, or hold public office.
Since his removal from office in 2022, Khan has alleged a conspiracy involving Washington, his successor Shehbaz Sharif, and the Pakistani military, allegations vehemently denied by all parties involved. Sharif resigned earlier this month after the parliamentary term concluded.
Khan’s legal team has also approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan in an attempt to secure his release. However, the Supreme Court has stated that it will only consider the matter after the Islamabad High Court’s ruling on Khan’s appeal.
These developments come amid escalating political turmoil, with the election oversight body announcing on August 17 that elections must be postponed by four months to redraw constituencies in line with the recently conducted census. Per the constitution, the vote is scheduled for October or November, with caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar overseeing day-to-day affairs.
