Khan, who denied the accusations towards him, appeared to have anticipated his arrest. In a prerecorded video message to his supporters, Khan urged them to protest the court docket ruling. “Don’t hold hiding at residence,” he mentioned.
Three months in the past, Khan’s arrest linked to separate corruption prices sparked days of violent clashes between supporters of his get together, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, or Motion for Justice, and the police. Khan’s arrest was ultimately dominated to have been illegal and he was launched.
However the fallout of the violent confrontations in Might left Khan’s get together weakened. Scores of Khan’s aides deserted the opposition chief, with some blaming stress from the nation’s highly effective army that had itself turn into a goal of assaults by pro-Khan protesters.
Hundreds of rioters who had been arrested in Might stay in jail and there have been no speedy stories of main clashes on Saturday. Khan is anticipated to be held in a jail close to the capital metropolis of Islamabad.
The previous prime minister additionally faces numerous different prices in separate circumstances, all of which he has denied.
In remarks to journalists, senior inside affairs official Attaullah Tarar mentioned the end result of the trial — which centered on allegations that Khan bought state presents from overseas dignitaries — confirmed that Khan “has been confirmed to be a convicted thief and legal.”
However Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the vice chairman of Khan’s get together, mentioned the trial was “biased,” “pre-determined” and “political.”
Khan was ousted by Parliament in April final yr after, in keeping with his allies, the army dropped its help for him. A number of makes an attempt to arrest him failed, together with one this March that resulted in violent clashes.
Public disputes between Khan, the army and the federal government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif mounted in depth in Might, after Khan accused a senior officer of involvement in an assassination try towards him in November, which he narrowly survived. Navy and authorities officers have strongly denied these claims.
Noack reported from Paris and Hussain from Islamabad. Haq Nawaz Khan in Peshawar, Pakistan, contributed to this report.
