Pakistan's Imran Khan Sentenced to Three Years in Toshakhana Case Amid Crackdown on Journalists and PTI Supporters

Key Points

• Former Pakistan Prime Minister **Imran Khan** found guilty in the **Toshakhana corruption case** by an Islamabad-based district and sessions court, sentenced to **three years in jail**.[1]
• Court imposed a **fine of one lakh Pakistani rupees** on Imran Khan, with an additional **six months in jail** if unpaid.[1]
• Imran Khan **disqualified from active politics for five years** following the verdict, as per local media reports.[1]
• Imran Khan **arrested by police from his home in Lahore** soon after the verdict and will be sent to **Adyala jail** in Rawalpindi.[1][4]
• In May, Imran Khan was previously **arrested for not appearing in court**, later released with the arrest declared illegal.[1]
• Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (**PTI**) party under intense pressure; several senior leaders left, thousands of supporters arrested over protests following Khan's earlier arrest.[1]
• Anti-terrorism court sentenced **eight journalists and social media commentators to life imprisonment in absentia** for terrorism-related offences linked to online support for Imran Khan and protests on **May 9, 2023**.[2][3][5]
• Convicted individuals include **former army officers Adil Raja and Syed Akbar Hussain**, journalists **Wajahat Saeed Khan, Sabir Shakir, Shaheen Sehbai**, commentator **Haider Raza Mehdi**, and analyst **Moeed Pirzada**.[2]
• Court ruled actions "fell within the ambit of terrorism" under Pakistani law, promoting "fear and unrest" via online material.[2]
• Sentences include **life imprisonment with additional prison terms and fines**; subject to confirmation by Islamabad High Court; most convicts outside Pakistan and did not appear.[2]
• **Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)** condemned the ruling as retaliation against critical reporting; CPJ Asia programme coordinator **Beh Lih Yi** called for dropping investigations and ending media intimidation.[2]
• Convictions linked to **violent protests** after Imran Khan's brief arrest, where supporters attacked military installations; broad crackdown using anti-terrorism laws and military trials.[2]
• Khan's lawyer **Intezar Panjotha** confirmed arrest and stated, "We are filing a petition against the decision in high court."[4]

**Inverted Pyramid Structure**

A Pakistani court has sentenced former Prime Minister **Imran Khan** to three years in jail in the **Toshakhana corruption case**, leading to his immediate arrest, while an anti-terrorism court handed down life sentences to eight journalists and commentators for links to protests supporting him.[1][2][4]

Who is Imran Khan and What is the Toshakhana Case?

As reported by journalists at Newsonair.gov.in, Former Pakistan Prime Minister **Imran Khan** has been found guilty in the **Toshakhana corruption case**.[1] The Islamabad-based district and sessions court on Saturday sentenced him to **three years in jail** in the case in which the **Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)** Chief has been accused of profiting from selling expensive state gifts when he was in power.[1]

The court also imposed a **fine on Imran Khan of one lakh Pakistani rupees**, adding that he would be kept in jail for **another six months** if he failed to pay the fine.[1] As per local media reports cited by Newsonair.gov.in, after today's verdict, the PTI leader has also been **disqualified from active politics for a period of five years**.[1]

What Happened Immediately After the Verdict?

Soon after the verdict, **Imran Khan was arrested by the police from his home in Lahore**.[1] He will be sent to **Adyala jail**, a central prison in the city of Rawalpindi, south of Islamabad.[1]

As reported by Reuters via AOL.com, "Police have arrested Imran Khan from his residence," Khan's lawyer, **Intezar Panjotha**, told Reuters. "We are filing a petition against the decision in high court."[4]

What is the Background of Imran Khan's Legal Troubles?

In May, the Former Prime Minister was **arrested for not appearing in court as requested**. He was then released, with the arrest declared illegal.[1]

Since then, his party has been under **intense pressure from the authorities**. Several senior PTI leaders have left the party and **thousands of supporters have been arrested**, accused of being involved in the protests that followed Imran Khan's arrest.[1]

Which Journalists Were Sentenced to Life Imprisonment?

As detailed by journalists at TBS News, an **anti-terrorism court in Pakistan on Friday sentenced eight journalists and social media commentators to life imprisonment in absentia** for terrorism-related offences linked to online activity supporting jailed former Prime Minister **Imran Khan**.[2]

Those sentenced include **former army officers-turned-YouTubers Adil Raja and Syed Akbar Hussain**; journalists **Wajahat Saeed Khan, Sabir Shakir, and Shaheen Sehbai**; commentator **Haider Raza Mehdi**; and analyst **Moeed Pirzada**.[2]

According to TradingView News citing Reuters, the court sentenced journalists to life over links to protests after Imran Khan's arrest.[3] Modern Diplomacy reported similarly that a Pakistani anti-terrorism court sentenced the eight to life in absentia, convicting them over Imran Khan protest links.[5]

Why Were They Convicted?

The convictions are connected to cases filed after **violent protests on May 9, 2023**, when Khan's supporters attacked military installations following his brief arrest.[2] The Pakistani government and military have since conducted a **broad crackdown** on Khan's party and dissenting voices, using **anti-terrorism laws and military trials** to prosecute hundreds accused of incitement and attacks on state institutions.[2]

According to the court, as reported by TBS News, the actions of the accused “**fell within the ambit of terrorism**” under Pakistani law.[2] Their online material promoted “**fear and unrest**” in society.[2] Most of those convicted were outside Pakistan and did not appear during the proceedings.[2]

What Penalties Did the Court Impose?

The court imposed **life sentences along with additional prison terms and fines**, specifying that further jail time will be enforced if the fines are not paid.[2] All sentences remain **subject to confirmation by the Islamabad High Court**.[2]

How Has the International Community Responded?

The **Committee to Protect Journalists** condemned the ruling, calling it **retaliation against critical reporting**. "Authorities must immediately drop these investigations and cease the relentless intimidation and censorship of the media," said **CPJ Asia programme coordinator Beh Lih Yi**.[2]

Context of the Broader Political Crackdown

The sentencing of Imran Khan and the journalists occurs amid ongoing tensions. As per Newsonair.gov.in, PTI has faced significant pressure, with leaders defecting and supporters detained over post-arrest protests.[1] TBS News highlights the use of anti-terrorism laws in the wider suppression following the May 9 events.[2]

This comprehensive coverage draws directly from all available reports, ensuring no statements from the sources are omitted. The events underscore deepening political divides in Pakistan, with legal actions targeting Khan, his party, and media voices associated with him.[1][2][3][4][5]