A Pakistani court docket on Thursday (November 14, 2024) rejected a plea for acquittal from former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned for greater than a 12 months in a graft case, a protection lawyer stated.
The court docket order was one other blow to Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi, who had been accused of retaining and promoting State items in violation of presidency guidelines when he was in energy.
Additionally Learn: Pakistan court docket acquits Imran Khan, his shut aides in Part 144 violation case
The couple can be formally indicted within the case on November 18 when the subsequent court docket listening to is held. Khan and Bibi have denied the costs, saying they weren’t concerned in any wrongdoing.
Naeem Panjutha, a lawyer for Khan, who stays a well-liked opposition determine, confirmed that the court docket had turned down the acquittal plea from the previous premier and his spouse. He gave no additional particulars.
Beneath Pakistan’s legal guidelines, authorities officers and politicians are allowed to retain items given to them by overseas dignitaries, however they have to appropriately declare the market worth of these items and declare any cash they earned after promoting these items. The couple is accused of shopping for state items together with wrist watches and jewellery at decreased costs when Khan was in energy.
Authorities have registered a number of instances in opposition to Khan since 2022 when he was ousted from energy by way of a vote of no-confidence within the parliament. The previous chief was convicted of corruption, illegal marriage and revealing nationwide secrets and techniques, and was given sentences starting from three to 14 years to be served concurrently below Pakistani legislation.
His convictions had been later overturned or suspended in appeals however he couldn’t be freed on account of different, pending instances in opposition to him.
Revealed – November 14, 2024 04:44 pm IST
