It was a shock to many in Pakistan when former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested on Saturday and handed a three-year jail sentence for corruption.
His arrest serves as a reminder that politics can be unpredictable, especially in countries like Pakistan that are steeped in military interventions.
The legal case against Khan has been going on since his removal from office in April 2022 and the conviction could potentially put an end to his political career.
Police detained the former cricket star from his home in Lahore quickly after the court ruled him guilty of concealing assets after selling state gifts.
This is the second time this year that he has been taken into custody with more than 150 legal cases filed against him including several charges related to corruption, terrorism, and inciting people to violence which followed deadly protests after his initial arrest back in May.
This year’s general elections will be held soon and some believe efforts have been stepped up recently to put Imran Khan behind bars due to his popularity among citizens combined with his ability to mobilize massive crowds which poses a threat for those currently ruling the country.
If current laws stand, then it is likely that Khan will not be able to participate or run for public office due to having criminal convictions on record which would effectively bar him from participating in any upcoming elections.
The subsequent reactions coming out of both camps have been notably divided with supporters such as PTI spokesman Rauf Hasan describing the asset concealment trial as being “the worst in history tantamount to murder of justice” while opponents like Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari view these developments as much needed comeuppance for Imran Khan.
Khan has now been shifted off towards Attock district’s infamous high security jail known for its harsh conditions where he joins other convicted militants awaiting trial.
