Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, finds himself entangled in yet another legal quagmire as he faces indictment in a case involving leaked classified documents, as reported by the news agency AFP. This grave accusation, if proven, could lead to a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. Khan's legal woes have been multiplying ever since he was removed from power last year. The ex-Pakistani cricket star contends that these legal challenges are orchestrated to thwart his ambitions of participating in the upcoming January 2024 elections.
Imran Khan, the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, had a recent stint behind bars in August, serving a three-year sentence for corruption. However, this sentence was subsequently overturned, only to be replaced by the far graver charge of sharing state secrets. "He has been formally charged today, and the allegations were publicly disclosed," stated Shah Khawar of Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) outside Adiala Jail, where Khan is currently held, as quoted by AFP.
The heart of this case revolves around a confidential cable that Khan presented as evidence supporting his claim that his removal from office was part of a larger conspiracy orchestrated by the United States and backed by the influential military establishment of Pakistan. However, both the United States and Pakistan's military authorities vehemently deny these allegations. Furthermore, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the vice chairman of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and a former foreign minister, has also found himself indicted in connection with this case.
A Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf spokesperson revealed that both individuals have been charged under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act, and their trial is taking place "within the confines of the court premises, with no access granted to the general public or media," as reported by AFP. In response to these charges, Khan's legal counsel, Umar Khan Niazi, asserted, "We intend to challenge these allegations vigorously." Khan's legal team emphasizes that the charges he faces carry a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison and, in the most severe scenarios, even the possibility of the death penalty.
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