What Does Imran Khan's Latest Conviction Mean for Pakistan's Political System?
20:06 05.02.2024 (Updated: 20:21 05.02.2024)
© AP Photo / K.M. Chaudary
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On the eve of the elections in Pakistan, the family of former Prime Minister Imran Khan is facing tremendous pressure.
Imran Khan's sister recently received notice that she was being investigated on charges of "anti-state" speech and spreading "fear and panic" in society by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)
Aleema Khan has to ensure her presence at the inquiry on February 6 or legal action will reportedly be taken.
Just days ago, Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were sentenced to seven years in prison for an illegal marriage. Sputnik asked experts why, on the eve of the elections, accusations are being brought not only against Khan but also against members of his family.
These moves come just days before the February 8 general elections in the country.
"The rulings against Khan and his wife show that the military or the establishment as many like to call it, is really out to get the former PM. These stunts so close to the elections are not necessary, it is creating a big political divide in the country... and internationally it is making Pakistan look bad," former defense attache and political observer Khalid Mahmood told Sputnik India.
How Will This Affect the Elections?
The defense attache said that he feels that these moves may create a lot of anger in the public and unfortunately result in more bloodshed and chaos. It is also highly likely that the decision against Khan and his wife could inflame the PTI support base and make them "vote with a sense of vengeance."
Sputnik India also spoke to a PTI supporter, who asked to remain anonymous, about the cases.
"All of these cases right now are happening to bring Khan under pressure, jailing his wife, summoning his elderly sister Aleema Begum is just to add to Khan's mental anguish," the supporter said.
He added that his advice to PTI supporters is to remain focused on the election day and cast their votes regardless of the current situation.
On Saturday, a local court in Rawalpindi said that Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were guilty of illegally marrying, a crime called "Iddat" which can put them behind bars for seven years. The case was filed by Bushra's former husband who said that she did not wait for 40 days to remarry after their divorce.
However, reports suggest that she was long separated from her former husband before getting involved with Khan. The case generated strong backlash from lawyers and civil society who denounced the verdict.
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan, right, and Bushra Bibi his wife, talk to the media before signing documents to submit surety bond over his bails in different cases, at an office of Lahore High Court in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, July 17, 2023.
© AP Photo / K.M. Chaudary
Imran Khan told the reporters the case was created to "humiliate and disgrace" him and his wife. "This marks the first instance in history where a case related to iddat has been initiated," Khan said.
In a post on X, Khan stated that the hasty manner in which all these cases are being concluded is for only one purpose which is to demoralize the voters, especially the youth.
"But, you must not be disheartened, as Allah is the ultimate planner. Our most powerful and meaningful weapon is that of our vote, and we must wield it to overthrow crooks who have been imposed upon us," Khan added.
The latest ruling against the former prime minister is his fourth conviction. He was sentenced to 14 years in jail in the Toshakhana case by an accountability court last Wednesday, as well as 10 years in prison last Tuesday for leaking state secrets in the "cipher case" and he was convicted in a separate Toshakhana case in August last year with a sentence of three years for which he is currently serving a sentence in Adiala jail since August
Considering these facts, political analyst and former unit manager at Engro Corporation, Shahid Rashid told Sputnik India that these verdicts against Khan and his family show that "the judicial system has been buried in Pakistan by the military generals."
