Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were convicted in the high-profile Al-Qadir Trust case, facing jail time and heavy fines

In a dramatic turn of events, former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have been convicted in the infamous £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case. The verdict, delivered by Judge Nasir Javed Rana on January 17, 2025, found the couple guilty of corruption and criminal activities related to the trust. Imran was sentenced to 14 years in prison, while Bushra received a seven-year jail term. The court also imposed fines of Rs1 million on Imran and Rs500,000 on Bushra, with the threat of additional jail time if they fail to pay the fines.

The court’s decision was delivered in a makeshift courtroom at Adiala Jail, with heightened security outside, ensuring no disruptions. Bushra Bibi was taken into custody immediately following the announcement of the verdict. Both the convicts are now set to serve their sentences, with their property, linked to the controversial Al-Qadir University Project Trust, seized by the government.

The Al-Qadir Trust case, which has rocked Pakistan’s political landscape, dates back to February 27, 2024, when the couple was indicted following the general elections. The prosecution alleges that Imran Khan and his wife had illegally received billions of rupees and valuable land from Bahria Town Ltd in exchange for legalising Rs50 billion in stolen funds that had been returned to Pakistan from the United Kingdom during Imran’s tenure as Prime Minister.

The court initially planned to announce the verdict on December 23, 2024, but delays in proceedings caused by winter vacations and later, the absence of Judge Rana, pushed the decision into January. The final hearing on January 13, 2025, saw further delays due to the couple’s failure to appear before the court, leading to the verdict being pronounced just days later.

Imran Khan’s legal troubles have been mounting ever since his arrest in August 2023. He has consistently claimed that these cases are politically motivated, aimed at weakening his political influence. While he was acquitted in the cipher and Iddat cases, his involvement in the Toshakhana case and the Al-Qadir Trust scandal has continued to spark public outrage.

The PTI, Imran’s political party, has condemned the trial, with senior leaders claiming that the conviction is part of an orchestrated campaign to silence opposition voices. Imran himself described the Al-Qadir Trust case as “bogus” and has accused the government of using the legal system to apply pressure on him. The PTI has also continued to negotiate with the government, presenting a ‘charter of demands’ aimed at resolving the country’s political crisis.

Amidst these legal battles, Imran Khan has also been linked to other high-profile cases, further tarnishing his political career. His conviction in the Al-Qadir Trust case has deepened his legal woes, leaving him facing the prospect of years behind bars while his political future hangs in the balance.