Pakistan former prime minister sentenced to 10 years in prison for revealing state secrets

On Tuesday, a court in Pakistan handed down a 10-year prison sentence to ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan and a deputy from his party, convicting them of disclosing confidential government information.

A special court convicted Khan for disclosing a confidential cable from Pakistan's ambassador in Washington to the Islamabad government, as reported by his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the former foreign minister, also received a 10-year sentence in the same case. This is the second conviction of Pakistan's former prime minister. Earlier in August 2023, he was sentenced to three years for "corrupt practices".

The verdict came just days before the national elections, which will be held on February 8. The verdict caused massive protests by his supporters and opposition from non-governmental organizations.

- We don't accept this illegal decision - posted on X Khan's lawyer, Naeem Panjutha

The Pakistan Human Rights Commission also commented on the tense situation before the elections, calling political parties to "develop a human rights charter in the face of the retreat of democracy, electoral manipulation before the elections and serious challenges to the society of law".

According to the Associated Press, during a press briefing in Islamabad, the co-chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Munizae Jahangir, expressed skepticism about the integrity of the forthcoming elections. - Currently, minimal proof suggests that the elections will be conducted freely, somewhat, or credible. Imran Khan's PTI party appears to be systematically dismantled, and the disqualification of most of its candidates by the Election Commission raises concerns about its impartiality in Pakistan - she said.

Source: Reuters