Imran Khan, Pakistan’s Cricket Star Turned PM, Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

By Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam

ISLAMABAD – Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is facing a 10-year jail sentence under the Official Secrets Act, marking yet another tumultuous chapter in the life of the charismatic cricket star. Although he is barred from participating in the elections scheduled for next week, he continues to cast a significant shadow over the nation’s political landscape.

At 71, Khan has been embroiled in numerous legal battles since his ousting from power in a parliamentary vote of no confidence in 2022. He was sentenced to three years in prison for corruption in August, which disqualifies him from the general elections set for February 8.

Early opinion polls indicated that Khan was the most popular leader in Pakistan. His brief arrest in May on distinct corruption charges ignited violent protests across the country, exacerbating an ongoing economic crisis.

Khan has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the military and its intelligence agency are attempting to dismantle his political party. The military, which has previously exerted considerable influence over Pakistan’s politics, claims to maintain neutrality.

Initially criticized for being unnecessarily accommodating to military leadership, Khan’s relationship soured with the former army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, which ultimately resulted in his political downfall. He contends that the current army leadership under General Asim Munir continues to target him and his party, claims that the military denies.

The unrest following Khan’s May arrest saw his supporters vandalizing military installations in various cities, signalling a potential crisis point in relations with the military. In the aftermath, several leaders within Khan’s party resigned, while the party reports that thousands of its workers are still detained.

Once a unifying figure, Khan became Prime Minister in 2018, rallying the nation with a vision centered on eradicating corruption and fostering a prosperous society. Despite his earlier successes in engaging disillusioned youth and drawing support from the educated expatriate community, his administration soon faced criticism for failing to meet the high expectations he had set.

Khan’s political journey began more than two decades after founding the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party, which struggled to secure representation in its early years. However, in 2011, he galvanized a movement against corruption and socio-economic issues, culminating in his electoral victory.

Born in 1952 in Lahore, Khan was raised in an affluent Pashtun family. He attended the University of Oxford, earning a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. During his cricket career, he gained a reputation as a playboy in London. In 1995, he married Jemima Goldsmith, with whom he had two sons before their divorce in 2004. His subsequent marriages also ended in divorce.

In office, Khan aimed to promote a welfare state inspired by Islamic principles from centuries past but faced backlash for allegedly using anti-corruption initiatives to undermine political rivals. Despite his efforts, the military remained influential, with both active and retired officers leading numerous civilian institutions.

Khan’s tenure as Prime Minister ended in April 2022 amid growing public discontent over inflation, deficits, and pervasive corruption—issues he had vowed to combat. His attempt to dissolve parliament was overturned by the Supreme Court, leading to defections in his coalition and resulting in his removal from office.

With his exit, Khan becomes yet another elected leader in Pakistan to not complete a full term in office.