Aleema Khan, the sister of PTI Founder Imran Khan, expressed her dismay at the sentencing of her brother in the £190 million case, calling it a “sad day for the justice system”.
Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail on Friday, she criticised the lack of transparency in the case and pledged to challenge the decision in the High Court.
“We knew in advance that [Imran Khan] would be sentenced, but today I am deeply saddened by this system,” Aleema Khan told reporters.
Also Read: £190m case: PTI vows to challenge verdict, calls it 'black day'
She claimed that no one, including the legal team or family, was informed of the decision beforehand. “No one knows for which crime the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi have been sentenced. The judgement said the university was built through corruption and ordered confiscation of the property,” she added.
Aleema Khan quoted Imran Khan as urging the nation to read the Hamoodur Rehman Commission report, alleging parallels between historical injustices and the current political climate. She stated, “General Yahya divided Pakistan into two parts for personal reasons, and this punishment is part of a similar chain.”
Also Read: Imran Khan sentenced to 14-year prison in £190m case
The case judge, Nasir Javed Rana, was also criticised. “I feel sorry for Judge Nasir Javed Rana. He must have been under immense pressure. History will remember that he punished the PTI founder under dubious circumstances,” Aleema said, adding that the party will move the high court against the verdict and had confidence in their lawyer, Salman Safdar.
Legal team expresses concerns
Salman Safdar, a senior lawyer on the case, also spoke to the media, questioning the integrity of the proceedings. “It is shocking that journalists knew about the decision before even the lawyers or both the accused,” he said, calling it a serious lapse in judicial process. “We will make this part of our appeal in the high court,” Safdar affirmed.
He further emphasized the need for faith in the legal system. “Despite the challenges, we remain hopeful. We will fight to ensure this institution remains standing and justice is served,” he said.
