Islamabad, 29 Aug, 2023 (GNP): An Islamabad appeals court has temporarily halted the conviction and three-year prison sentence of ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan on corruption charges, confirmed by his representatives on August 29.
Although Khan is granted bail, his immediate release is uncertain due to over 100 pending cases since his ousting via a no-confidence vote in April of the prior year, as reported by the sources.
The Islamabad High Court’s verbal ruling with an impending written judgment comes after a recent legal win from the Balochistan High Court, dismissing a sedition case against Khan on August 28.
This pause in the graft case enables Imran Khan, a former cricket star and leader of the Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaf (PTI) party, to join forthcoming parliamentary elections.
Also Read: IHC adjourned hearing on Khan’s plea against Toshakhana case until August 24
Prior sentencing had barred him from political activity for five years due to legislation against convicted individuals in leadership roles.
Due to Khan’s arrest in another case for allegedly disclosing official secrets, his imprisonment will last at least until Wednesday, sources said.
Since his removal, Khan has claimed that the Pakistani military, Shehbaz Sharif, and the United States conspired to have him removed, but all three have refuted these claims.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is experiencing worsening political and economic unrest.
When Sharif took office in April 2022, inflation was 13.4%; but, by April 2023, it had reached a record high of 37%.
Price hikes are currently affecting a lot of Pakistanis. Also, they received exorbitant energy bills this month, which sparked a surge of ire among those who claim the expenses consumed their whole paychecks.
