Ex-PM Imran Khan's graft verdict temporarily suspended: Lawyer
3 Min Read
Though Imran's graft verdict has been suspended, it's still unknown whether he will be released from prison as he also faces other charges.
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Former Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan gestures as he speaks during an interview with AFP at his residence in Lahore on May 18, 2023. (AFP)
The Islamabad High Court has temporarily halted the recent conviction of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on corruption charges, according to his lawyer Naeem Panjutha. Nonetheless, it remains uncertain whether this development will lead to his immediate release from incarceration.
This comes shortly after a Pakistani court invalidated on Monday a sedition case against Khan, providing him some respite.
Khan, renowned for his cricket career and later foray into politics, recently faced imprisonment due to corruption charges. The sedition case, originating from a speech he gave, was filed in Quetta, Balochistan, alleging seditious content.
Khan appealed the case, arguing that the necessary consent from federal or provincial authorities was missing for the sedition charges. The Balochistan High Court supported his appeal, deeming the charges unlawful and directing their dismissal.
Simultaneously, Khan's lawyer, Naeem Panjutha, expressed relief. This sedition case was just one of several legal actions against Khan, following his parliamentary confidence vote loss in 2022.
Another high court in Islamabad is set to rule on Khan's appeal for suspending his conviction and jail term for corruption.
The complexity arises from existing court orders permitting Khan's detention in other legal cases, contributing to the uncertainty surrounding his potential release. Furthermore, the implications of his electoral disqualification are yet to be clarified.
It is worth noting that Khan's fallout with Pakistan's influential military led to his political downfall, contributing to instability in a nation grappling with economic challenges. It is worth noting that Khan remains ineligible for political office for five years.
Read next: It's all in 'Cypher': How US exerted pressure on Pakistan to oust Khan
Pakistani parliament speaker says election to be delayed: Exclusive
The Pakistani elections are expected to be delayed around 3-4 months from October, Pakistani Parliament Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf recently told Al Mayadeen's Proximate Aspect.
The Pakistani official discussed domestic issues in his first interview with an Arab TV channel, including the general election, investments in Pakistan, and the numerous issues pertaining to former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Citing the elections as "very important," Ashraf highlighted the recent population census undertaken by the Pakistani government. This led to a decision to reconfigure electoral constituencies, a process projected to require substantial time, ultimately contributing to the electoral delay.
