In the latest twist to former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s legal battles, a Pakistani court has prolonged his jail custody by 14 days for further investigation into charges of leaking state secrets. The decision comes just a day after a separate court suspended his prison sentence for corruption allegations.
The proceedings took place in a special court convened at Attock Jail, where Imran Khan commenced his three-year prison term on August 5 following his conviction for unlawfully selling state gifts. While a high court suspended this sentence on Tuesday, granting Khan bail, the ex-Prime Minister’s release was withheld due to his ongoing remand in the case involving leaking official secrets.
Addressing the media outside the jail, Imran Khan’s lawyer, Naeem Panjutha, revealed that an application for bail had been submitted, with a hearing scheduled for September 2. Additionally, a plea for an open court trial has been filed, aiming to ensure transparency in the proceedings. Panjutha anticipated that the prosecution might seek a closed-door trial, potentially excluding media and the public.
The legal turmoil faced by the 70-year-old former national cricket captain has been ongoing since he lost the premiership in a parliamentary confidence vote in April of the previous year. Khan staunchly denies any wrongdoing, asserting that the charges against him are politically motivated.
Supporters of Imran Khan believe that his challenges are a consequence of his audacity to challenge the military’s dominant influence in Pakistan’s political landscape. They argue that the legal proceedings are strategically used to hinder his participation in upcoming national elections, possibly in early 2024.
Despite the suspension of his sentence in the corruption case, the conviction remains intact, rendering Khan ineligible to contest elections due to the existing five-year ban imposed by the Election Commission.
Khan is charged under the Official Secrets Act for divulging the contents of a confidential cable sent by Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, allegedly for political gain. If found guilty, he could face a prison term of up to 10 years. His close aide, former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, has already been arrested and questioned in connection with the case.
The case has fueled suspicions and conspiracy theories within Pakistan, a country where no elected prime minister has completed their term. Imran Khan alleges that the cable revealed US pressure on Pakistan’s military to topple his government. However, both Washington and Pakistan’s military have refuted these claims.
As Imran Khan grapples with a multitude of charges, including corruption, abetment to murder, and orchestrating violent protests, his legal battles continue to captivate attention both domestically and internationally. Recent court decisions and extensions add new dimensions to his complex legal saga.
Sources By Agencies
