Sandeep Dikshit
New Delhi, August 5
Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested by the police from his Zaman Park residence in Lahore on Saturday after a local court sentenced him to three years in prison and slapped a fine of Rs 1 lakh for illegally selling state gifts.
The cricketer-turned-politician was later transferred to Islamabad and will be in custody at Central Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. Imran also technically stands disqualified from holding any public office for five years under Article 63(1)(h) of the Pakistan constitution. Unless a higher court stays his conviction, he could effectively be barred from contesting the next General Election.
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif has indicated that Parliament would be dissolved on August 9, three days before the end of its term, and the elections are likely in November. Imran’s conviction came a day after Pakistan’s high court temporarily halted the district court’s trial. It was not immediately clear why the trial had proceeded despite the high court’s decision. “He has been found guilty of corrupt practices by hiding the benefits he acquired from the national Exchequer wilfully and intentionally. He cheated while providing information about gifts he obtained from the Toshakhana which later proved to be false and inaccurate. His dishonesty has been established beyond doubt,” the order said.
Unlike in May when his arrest sparked off widespread rioting and even ransacking of residences of top army officers, there were sporadic protests and the police said traffic flow was routine. The ex-PM is facing over 150 cases relating to attacks on military installations, terrorism, murder and blasphemy.