Imran Khan convicted of leaking state secrets, sentenced to 10 years in prison 

The World Cup winning captain of Pakistan and former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent conviction for revealing official secrets has sent shockwaves through Pakistani politics. On Tuesday, a Pakistani court sentenced Imran Khan to 10 years in prison, adding to a string of legal battles that have sidelined the once-popular cricket star turned politician.

This development comes just days before parliamentary elections, casting a shadow over the political landscape. Khan, an Islamist politician, was ousted through a no-confidence vote in 2022 and is currently serving a three-year prison term. 

Despite his imprisonment and over 150 pending cases against him, he maintains significant support due to his grassroots following and anti-establishment stance. However, violent demonstrations erupted following Khan’s arrest last year, leading authorities to clamp down on his supporters and party activities, making them wary of staging rallies.

The upcoming elections, scheduled for February 8, come at a critical time for Pakistan, grappling with an economic crisis exacerbated by Khan’s successor, Shehbaz Sharif. Sharif’s tenure has been marked by unpopular policies, including significant tariff hikes on essential utilities, leading to public discontent.

Khan’s conviction stems from the “cipher case,” where he was accused of exposing state secrets by displaying a confidential document at a rally. Although the document’s contents remain undisclosed, Khan claimed it was evidence of threats against him and alleged a U.S.-backed conspiracy behind his ouster, an assertion denied by American and Pakistani officials.

The verdict, announced by a special court in Rawalpindi where Imran Khan is imprisoned, also convicted senior party official Shah Mahmood Qureshi. Khan maintains his innocence, with his party dismissing the trial as a sham. His legal team plans to appeal the conviction before the Islamabad High Court.

Despite widespread discontent with the government, analysts predict low voter turnout in the upcoming election, as Khan’s charisma and ability to mobilize the masses remain unmatched within his party.

However, with Khan sidelined by legal battles, the political landscape in Pakistan faces uncertainty, with implications for the country’s future direction.