Pakistan's former premier appeals his conviction and 3-year sentence in graft case, seeks release

Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday appealed his conviction and three-year prison sentence in a graft case, a spokesman for his legal team said.

Naeem Haider Panjutha, Khan's lawyer, said the Islamabad High Court will hear the appeal on Wednesday.

It's the latest turn in Khan's legal drama after being ousted in a no-confidence vote in April 2022. He remains the country’s leading opposition figure and was convicted and jailed Saturday on charges of concealing assets after selling state gifts he received while in power. Panjutha met with Khan in the high-security Attock jail in eastern Punjab province.

The former cricket star has denied the charges, saying he did not violate any laws.

In the appeal, Khan’s lawyers said the former premier’s conviction should be "set aside” and declared "illegal and without lawful authority.” It also requested the court acquit Khan, claiming he was arrested illegally.

Panjutha told reporters outside the Islamabad High Court on Tuesday that they are also seeking better facilities for Khan through another petition which has also been filed in the Islamabad High Court.

Since Khan's conviction, his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Inaf party and critics have said the former premier was being politically victimised by the government of current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a charge the government denies. Sharif replaced Khan last year after his ouster and is likely to step down on Wednesday after the five-year term of the current parliament.

Sharif's ruling Pakistan Muslim League party will face tough competition from Khan's party.

Associated Press