Former Pak PM Imran Khan Sentenced to 3 Yrs in Jail, Arrested

Former Pakistan Prime Minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan was arrested by Pakistan police on Saturday afternoon from his Zaman Park residence in Lahore. He was arrested shortly after an Islamabad trial court declared him guilty of “corrupt practices” in the Toshakhana case and sentenced him to 3-years in jail.

The court sentenced Imran, while he was not present in court. Apart from the jail term, the court also imposed a fine of Rs100,000 on him for concealing details of Toshakhana gifts. Imran’s lawyers were also not present in court.

During the hearing — which commenced at 8:30 am — the judge repeatedly expressed displeasure over the absence of Imran’s lawyers, who did not appear despite several callings. Finally, at 12:30 pm, ASDJ Dilawar announced the verdict.

A large contingent of police was deployed outside the court premises with only lawyers allowed inside the courtroom.

Toshakhana case alleges that Imran had “deliberately concealed” details of the gifts he retained from the Toshaskhana — a repository where presents handed to government officials from foreign officials are kept — during his time as the prime minister and proceeds from their reported sales.