Imran Khan Handed 10 Years in Prison for Leaking State Secrets

THE GUARDIAN: Former Pakistan prime minister condemns trial as ‘a joke’ amid crackdown on his political party in run-up to general election

Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to 10 years in jail for leaking official secrets, amid a crackdown on his political party prior to upcoming elections.

The sentence is the harshest yet against Khan, who has been held in jail since August.

The case relates to a diplomatic cable that allegedly went missing while in his possession. Khan had publicly cited the cable as proof there was a conspiracy behind his fall from power in 2022 but had denied taking it from the ministry of foreign affairs.

The legal proceedings were highly unusual. They were held not in a courtroom but in the prison in Rawalpindi where Khan is being held, and were conducted behind closed doors, which Khan’s lawyers protested was unconstitutional. » | Hannah Ellis-Petersen, South Asia correspondent | Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan Sentenced to Three Years in Jail

THE GUARDIAN: Khan arrested in Lahore after court also bans him from politics for five years for illegally selling state gifts

Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan has been arrested after a court in Islamabad sentenced him to three years in jail and disqualified him from politics for “corrupt practices” involving the sale of state gifts.

Khan, 70, was picked up by police from his home in Lahore on Saturday after a court ruled on the Toshakaha case, in which he was accused of illegally selling gifts from heads of state worth hundreds of millions of rupees.

The judge found Khan had “deliberately submitted fake details” of the gifts to the court and had been involved in corruption. After expressing his displeasure that Khan’s lawyers were not in court, he sentenced him to three years in prison and ordered him to be banned from politics for five years. » | Hannah Ellis-Petersen and Shah Meer Baloch | Saturday, August 5, 2023

Au Pakistan, l’ex-premier ministre Imran Khan condamné pour corruption et arrêté : M. Khan, aujourd’hui leader du parti Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), fait l’objet de plus de 150 poursuites judiciaires depuis son éviction du pouvoir, des accusations qu’il affirme être motivées par des considérations politiques. »

EXCLUSIVE: Pakistan's Imran Khan Fears Re-arrest | DW News

May 18, 2023 | Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who faces corruption charges, told DW on Thursday there is an "unprecedented crackdown taking place" in Pakistan. Speaking with DW's Anja Kueppers-McKinnon, Khan said he "expect to be re-arrested." Pakistani police surrounded Khan's house in Lahore on Wednesday.

"My entire senior leadership is in jail, they get bail from court as they come out of court they again get re-arrested," he said. Khan said he it was done "in order to crush the party so that we don't contest the election, this is why all of this is happening." He said, "7,500 workers have been arrested, we don't know what is going one, all my leadership has been arrested."

Khan will ignore a summons by the country's anti-graft agency to appear before it on Thursday for questioning, his party spokesman said.

Pakistan: Khan Alleges His Arrest Was an Illegal 'Abduction' | DW News

May 12, 2023 | The Islamabad High Court on Friday ordered the release of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on bail for two weeks, his lawyers said. On Tuesday, Khan was dragged out of from the same court building and arrested . He has now been granted protection from arrest. The 70-year-old politician and former cricket star is facing charges of corruption. His arrest, which was later ruled unlawful, triggered riots that claimed several lives across the country. The current government, comprised of Khan's political rivals, deployed the military to curb the unrest.

Imran Khan Arrest Was Illegal Says Pakistan’s Supreme Court - BBC News

Related.

Supporters of Former Pakistani PM Khan Clash with Security Forces | DW News

May 10, 2023 | Supporters of former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan have clashed with security forces following his dramatic arrest on Tuesday. Khan was taken into custody during a court appearance in Islamabad on corruption charges. His detainment marks a dramatic escalation of political tensions in the country. Protests erupted in several cities across Pakistan, including Islamabad, Karachi, and Khan's hometown, Lahore.

Against the backdrop of a severe economic crisis, Khan remains influential. Across the country, people turned out in force to protest his arrest. If convicted, Imran Khan, by far the most popular opposition politician, will likely be prevented from running in the upcoming elections in November.


ZUM LESEN:

Oberste Richter ordnen Freilassung Imran Khans an: Nach der Festnahme des früheren Ministerpräsidenten wurde Pakistan von einer Welle des Protests erfasst. Nun ordnet der Oberste Gerichtshof Khans Freilassung an. Stellt er sich damit gegen die Armee? »

Pakistan’s Former PM Imran Khan Arrested in Islamabad

THE GUARDIAN: Khan taken into custody as he appeared in court to face charges in a corruption case

Imran Khan, the former prime minister of Pakistan, has been arrested by the military as he appeared in court in Islamabad to face charges in a corruption case. » | Agencies in Islamabad | Tuesday, May 9, 2023

ALSO READ:

Imran Khan, Pakistan’s Ex-Leader, Is Arrested: Mr. Khan, a former cricket star, has staged a comeback since being ousted, openly challenging the powerful military. His detention raises fears of mass protests. »


LIRE AUSSI :

Au Pakistan, l’ex-premier ministre Imran Khan arrêté au tribunal : L’arrestation d’Imran Khan survient au lendemain de la mise en garde de l’armée contre « les allégations sans fondement » prononcées, selon elle, par l’ex-premier ministre. »

Pakistan : des tirs de gaz lacrymogènes contre les manifestants après l'arrestation d'Imran Khan : L'ancien premier ministre comparaissait devant un tribunal d'Islamabad pour l'une des nombreuses affaires le visant depuis qu'il a été chassé du pouvoir en avril 2022. »

LESEN SIE AUCH :

Pakistans früherer Ministerpräsident Imran Khan festgenommen: Seit seinem Sturz im vergangenen Jahr laufen zahlreiche Korruptionsverfahren gegen Imran Khan. Der wittert eine Verschwörung des Militärs. Nun wurde Khan in einer undurchsichtigen Aktion festgenommen. »

Imran Khan Shot in 'Assassination Attempt' during Pakistan March

Nov 3, 2022 | Imran Khan, the former Pakistani prime minister, has reportedly been injured in a shooting attack during a march on the capital Islamabad with his supporters. At least three other people were injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire on the vehicle carrying Mr Khan as it passed through Wazirabad, about 110 miles south-east of Islamabad, local media reported. Mr Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party called the attack an “assassination attempt”, adding that PTI leader Faisal Javed had also been injured. The PTI’s Imran Ismail has said Mr Khan was shot in the leg "three to four" times by an attacker wielding an AK-47. He told Pakistan’s Bol TV that he was standing next to the former Pakistani leader when the attack occurred. A PTI spokesman said Mr Khan was “safe” and that a suspect has been arrested.

Pakistan's Former PM Imran Khan Charged under Terrorism Act - BBC News

Aug 22, 2022 Police in Pakistan have charged the country's former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, under anti-terror laws.

Officials accused Mr Khan of breaching the country's anti-terrorism act for allegedly making threats against the state officials.

He has been a vocal critic of the government and the country's army since he was ousted from power in April in a no-confidence vote.

Police announced the charges after the cricketer-turned-politician accused authorities of torturing his close aide, who is himself being detained under sedition charges.

Pakistan Parliament Ousts Imran Khan as Prime Minister

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The country will now face early elections after days of brinkmanship in which Mr. Khan tried to dissolve Parliament to head off the no-confidence vote.

Imran Khan, center, last month during National Day in Islamabad. He was ousted as Pakistan’s prime minister on Saturday, losing a no-confidence vote in Parliament. | Anjum Naveed/Associated Press
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Imran Khan, the former international cricket star turned politician who oversaw a new era of Pakistan’s foreign policy that distanced the country from the United States, was removed as prime minister early on Sunday after losing a no-confidence vote in Parliament.

The vote, coming amid soaring inflation and a rift between Mr. Khan’s government and the military, capped a political crisis that has embroiled the country for weeks and came down to the wire in a parliamentary session that dragged into the early morning hours. Pakistan remains in a state of turmoil as it heads into an early election season in the coming months.

Pakistan, a nuclear-armed nation with the world’s second-largest Muslim population, has struggled with instability and military coups since its founding 75 years ago. While no prime minister in Pakistan has ever completed a full five-year term in office, Mr. Khan is the first to be removed in a no-confidence vote.

The motion to oust Mr. Khan was passed with 174 votes, two more than the requisite simple majority. » | Christina Goldbaum and Salman Masood | Saturday, April 9, 2022

Au Pakistan, Imran Khan fait libérer des centaines d’islamistes antifrançais

Le 22 octobre, à Karachi, des partisans du Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) manifestent pour réclamer la libération de militants emprisonnés et l’expulsion de l’ambassadeur de France (en représailles aux caricatures de Mahomet parues dans Charlie Hebdo en septembre 2020). AKHTAR SOOMRO/REUTERS
LE FIGARO : RÉCIT - Le premier ministre pakistanais a cédé aux pressions du TLP, puissant mouvement soutenu par l’armée.

De New Dehli
C’est ce qui s’appelle l’effet papillon. Les réactions suscitées par la publication de caricatures de Mahomet par Charlie Hebdo en septembre 2020 n’en finissent plus de poser de nombreux problèmes au gouvernement pakistanais. Voilà plus d’un an qu’il essaye de transiger avec un parti islamiste, le Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). Cette organisation a fait de la défense de l’honneur du Prophète son cheval de bataille depuis sa création, en 2015.

Le TLP a organisé une énième marche entre Lahore et Islamabad du 22 au 31 octobre avec des exigences qu’il pousse depuis l’an dernier: expulsion de l’ambassadeur de France en représailles aux dessins de l’hebdomadaire français et aux propos d’Emmanuel Macron sur la liberté de caricaturer. Mais aussi libération de ses militants emprisonnés depuis le début de la mobilisation. Son chef, Saad Hussain Rizvi, est derrière les barreaux depuis le mois d’avril. » | Par Emmanuel Derville | vendredi 5 novembre 2021

Réservé aux abonnés

Julian Assange Interviews Imran Khan On His Success In Politics

Pakistan's Imran Khan on the Taliban and Nawaz Sharif

We speak to the politician and we ask Bernie Sanders adviser, Jeffrey Sachs, if he will vote for Hillary Clinton.

Imran Khan on Women's Rights in Pakistan - UpFront

The murder of controversial Pakistani social media sensation, Qandeel Baloch, prompted much condemnation.

Imran Khan on Election Campaign Trail
BBC: Three bombs have exploded in north-west Pakistan killing at least eight people.

They are the latest in a series of attacks targeting politicians in the run-up to May's general election.

After five years of democratic rule the country is struggling with terrorist attacks, inflation, and crippling power cuts.

Now, the party led by the country's former cricket captain, Imran Khan, has been gaining ground and could change the political landscape.

Orla Guerin reports from Punjab. Watch the BBC video » | Sunday, April 28, 2013

Imran Khan Detained and 'Interrogated over Drone Views' by US Immigration

THE GUARDIAN: Former cricket captain turned politician detained on flight from Canada to New York to be questioned over his views on jihad

Imran Khan, the former Pakistan cricket captain turned politician, was taken off an international flight from Canada to New York and questioned by US immigration officials over his views on drone strikes and jihad.

Khan, who has been at the forefront of a high-profile campaign as leader of the Pakistan Movement for Justice party (PTI) to end US drone strikes in northern Pakistan, had been in Canada to give a speech and was on his way to a fundraising dinner in the US on Friday.

Khan recently attempted to lead a high-profile march into south Waziristan which included US peace activists from the Code Pink group with some 15,000 of his supporters.

He claims that the drone strikes kill large numbers of innocent civilians – a claim denied by the US.

"I was taken off from plane and interrogated by US Immigration in Canada on my views on drones. My stance is known. Drone attacks must stop," Khan tweeted yesterday after his questioning.

He added: "Missed flight and sad to miss the fundraising lunch in NY but nothing will change my stance."

A US state department spokeswoman confirmed Khan's questioning. "We are aware that Imran Khan was briefly delayed in Toronto before boarding the next flight to the United States," she told Pakistani media.

"The issue was resolved. Mr Khan is welcome in the United States." » | Peter Beaumont | Saturday, October 27, 2012

Imran Khan: Salman Rushdie Has the 'Mindset of a Small Man'

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Imran Khan has stoked his growing feud with Sir Salman Rushdie, describing the Satanic Verses author as having "the mindset of a small man".

The two have exchanged angry words since Mr Khan, the former Pakistan cricket captain who now heads a political party, refused to share a platform with the writer at a conference in New Delhi at the weekend.

At the time, Mr Khan said he could not appear with a man who had offended the world's Muslims.

Sir Salman hit back at the event with a series of jibes. He asked the shocked audience if they "noticed a physical resemblance of Imran Khan and Gaddafi" and went on to describe Mr Khan as a dictator-in-waiting. » | Rob Crilly | Islamabad | Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Imran Khan Pulls Out of India Visit to Avoid Salman Rushdie

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Imran Khan, the former Pakistani cricket captain, has abruptly pulled out of a visit to India after he learned that Sir Salman Rushdie would speak at the same conference.

Khan, whose political party draws some of its support from hardline religious elements in Pakistan, has been a frequent critic of The Satanic Verses author, a spat that is rapidly turning into a feud.

Shireen Mazari, a senior member of Khan's Movement for Justice party, said he was cancelling his appearance as a key note speaker at the India Today Conclave in New Delhi on Friday.

"He could not even think of participating in any programme that included Salman Rushdie, who has caused immeasurable hurt to Muslims across the globe," she said. » | Rob Crilly | Islamabad | Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Imran Khan Predicts 'a Revolution' in Pakistani Politics

THE GUARDIAN: Former national cricket captain vows to fight corruption and negotiate with the Taliban in address to 100,000 at Lahore rally

At the height of his cricket glory days, Imran Khan would visualise winning – standing on the podium, cup held aloft – and propelling Pakistan to victory. Last weekend, standing before a sea of supporters in Lahore, he had a similar epiphany about his political career.

"As I stood there, watching them, I knew the moment had come," Khan, who is the leader of the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insafr party, said. "Now nothing can stop us. This is a revolution, a tsunami. We will not just win the next elections – we will sweep them."

Whether the former cricket captain can translate rhetoric into reality is hotly debated. Yet few doubt that last weekend's rally sent shockwaves across Pakistan's moribund political system.

Over 100,000 people crammed into a historic Lahore park. Many were middle-class Pakistanis – young, urban, educated – drawn by Khan's rhetoric and their anger at conventional politics.

"This is the emergence of a new force. The cry for change is resonating across Pakistan," said Ayaz Amir, a parliamentarian from rival Nawaz Sharif's party, who was there. "Young, old, professionals, women – I've never seen such people at a public meeting in Pakistan before."

The sight, Amir added, had "scared the living daylights" out of his own party. » | Declan Walsh in Islamabad | Sunday, November 06, 2011

Imran Khan Says David Cameron Is Making Pakistan a Scapegoat for Afghanistan Failures
THE TELEGRAPH: David Cameron is trying to make Pakistan a scapegoat for the failure of the war in Afghanistan, former cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan has said.



During a trip to India, the Prime Minister accused the country of promoting the "export of terror" in Afghanistan and around the world.

Mr Khan compared the treatment of Pakistan with that of Cambodia during the Vietnam war.

"There is obviously a lot of anger in Pakistan at David Cameron's statement because here people feel this country is the biggest sufferer of terrorism," he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.

"We are being blamed for the complete failure of the Afghanistan campaign, this doomed campaign. Pakistan has become the scapegoat. Pakistan has become what Cambodia was in the Vietnam War.

"The failure in Vietnam was blamed on Cambodia and Cambodia was destroyed by the bombing. Today Pakistan is being bombed by its ally, the US... killing mostly innocent people." >>> Rosa Prince, Political Correspondent, in Bangalore and Rob Crilly in Islamabad | Friday, July 30, 2010