Conviction aimed at forcing political deal: Imran Khan

Imran Khan, the founding chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), believes that his recent sentencing in the  £190m case is part of a political strategy to force him into making a deal, and has dismissed any suggestions of negotiations or compromise.

During a media interaction outside Adiala Jail, Imran's sister, Aleema Khan, conveyed her brother’s position, stating that the PTI founding chairman had firmly rejected the notion of a deal.

"He is not going to make any deals. He has no intention of negotiating with the government. He will continue to face the cases against him, regardless of how long he stays in prison," Aleema Khan remarked.

Imran Khan’s comments were in response to his conviction in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case, which saw both him and his wife, Bushra Bibi, sentenced. Khan, however, believes the sentence is politically motivated and designed to break his resolve.

Aleema Khan further clarified that the decision had nothing to do with any ongoing negotiation committees.

She emphasised that her brother had advocated for the case to be taken to higher courts where it could be examined thoroughly.

She added that the case would reveal more facts as it proceeded through the legal system.

She also questioned the fairness of the judicial process, pointing out that figures like former President Asif Ali Zardari and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif were not held accountable in similar cases. "Why is it only Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi who are facing these charges?" she asked.

The PTI leadership has expressed confidence that the higher courts will offer a fair hearing and allow them to present a detailed case.

Khan’s legal team is preparing to challenge the conviction, believing that the proceedings will shed light on alleged political biases within the judicial system.

Aleema Khan also criticised the involvement of certain judges, referring to previous concerns raised by the Supreme Court over judges like Nasser Javed Rana, suggesting that the judicial environment in Pakistan is compromised by political influence.

PTI to challenge Al-Qadir Trust ruling

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is all set to challenge the judgment in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case before the high court on January 21 (Tuesday), saying the decision is "controversial" and party founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were "wrongly" convicted.

PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram confirmed on Sunday that the party would file an appeal to quash what it termed an "egregious miscarriage of justice".

He hoped that the names of PTI supremo Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi would be cleared in the first hearing, deploring the judgment as "a blatant travesty of justice driven by political motivations and fabricated charges".

The decision to appeal followed a core committee meeting that reviewed the legal and political ramifications of the verdict amid ongoing negotiations with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

The committee endorsed party chairman Barrister Gohar Khan's announcement that the talks with the PML-N-led coalition would continue until the set deadline for a government response to PTI's demands.