Fri | Jul 3, 2026

Pakistani police arrest former PM Imran Khan after court conviction

Published:Saturday | August 5, 2023 | 2:19 PM
Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan listens to a member of the media during a talk with reporters regarding the current political situation and the ongoing cases against him at his residence, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, August 3, 2023. A Pakistani court convicted former Prime Minister Imran Khan in an asset concealment case Saturday, August 5, which could disqualify him from politics.(AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary, File)

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The political future of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan was thrown into doubt Saturday when police arrested him at home after a court handed him a three-year jail sentence for asset concealment.

The prison sentence could see Khan barred from politics as the law says people with a criminal conviction cannot hold or run for public office.

His Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, condemned the ruling and said it will challenge the decision in a superior court.

While a superior court can suspend the conviction, it's the country's election body that can ultimately disqualify Khan from politics.

Efforts to put Khan behind bars have been stepped up ahead of elections expected later this year.

His popularity and large support base, combined with his ability to mobilise massive crowds, pose a threat to the ruling coalition and could potentially polarise the electorate.

The Islamabad court issued the arrest warrant after convicting Khan.

Police moved quickly to take the politician from his home in the eastern city of Lahore to the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, senior police officer Ali Nasir Rizvi said.

Local information minister, Amir Mir, said Khan was being taken to Lahore airport to be transported to the capital.

It's the second time Khan has been detained this year.

Follow The Gleaner on Twitter and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.