Pakistan court rejects plea for acquittal from Imran Khan and his wife in graft case

Imran Khan and wife face indictment for selling state gifts, court rejects acquittal plea, ongoing legal battles.

A Pakistani court on Thursday (November 14, 2024) rejected a plea for acquittal from former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned for more than a year in a graft case, a defense lawyer said.

The court order was another blow to Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, who were accused of retaining and selling State gifts in violation of government rules when he was in power.

Also Read: Pakistan court acquits Imran Khan, his close aides in Section 144 violation case

The couple will be formally indicted in the case on November 18 when the next court hearing is held. Khan and Bibi have denied the charges, saying they were not involved in any wrongdoing.

Naeem Panjutha, a lawyer for Khan, who remains a popular opposition figure, confirmed that the court had turned down the acquittal plea from the former premier and his wife. He gave no further details.

Under Pakistan's laws, government officials and politicians are allowed to retain gifts given to them by foreign dignitaries, but they must correctly declare the market value of those gifts and declare any money they earned after selling those gifts. The couple is accused of buying state gifts including wrist watches and jewelry at reduced prices when Khan was in power.

Authorities have registered multiple cases against Khan since 2022 when he was ousted from power through a vote of no-confidence in the parliament. The former leader was convicted of corruption, unlawful marriage and revealing national secrets, and was given sentences ranging from three to 14 years to be served concurrently under Pakistani law.