Former Pakistan Prime Minister, Imran Khan has been barred from public office, pending a corruption case, and some citizens are not happy about it.
Pakistan’s top election tribunal found him guilty of illegally selling gifts from foreign dignitaries and heads of state.
The 70-year-old cricketer-turned-politician was condemned for misusing his 2018-2022 oremiership to buy and sell gifts in state possession that were received during visits abroad and worth more than 140 million rupees.
The supposed missed gifts included expensive watches given by an alleged royal family for Khan to sell in Dubai.
After being sent away, Imran organized his supporters who protested and called for the postponement of the elections, but the Pakistani government has said that it will hold in October or November next year.
The political inconsistency has also fired economic uncertainty, with international ratings agencies challenging if the current government can conserve difficult economic policies in the face of political pressure and soaring polls.
Under Pakistani law, a legislator found guilty of corruption or abuse of public office can be barred for up to five years.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the ruling, writing on Twitter that the prime minister’s post was made into a source of personal income through “corrupt practices”.
Khan supporters protested in different cities, blocking roads and streets, but there were no reports of violence, officials said.
Whether they protest or not, Imran Khan can be facing up to five years away from the public service.
Khan’s opponent Maryam Nawaz, from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N), may now have the upper hand, as it must have been proven that Imran did misuse the funds meant for public service.
