‘Prepare for street movement’: Imran Khan calls for nationwide protests after 17 years in prison; claims his lawyers were not heard in court – The Times of India

Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan has asked his supporters to prepare for nationwide protests and said he will challenge his conviction in the Islamabad High Court after he and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were sentenced to 17 years in prison on Saturday in the Toshakhana-II corruption case.Khan, who currently does not have access to his social media accounts, delivered his message through his legal team.

According to a report on “I sent a message to [Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM] Sohail Afridi prepares for the street movement. The entire nation will have to stand up for its rights,” Khan said.Reacting to the verdict, Khan said the decision did not come as a surprise and accused the court of acting hastily. “Like the baseless decisions and sentences of the last three years, the Toshakhana-II decision is also nothing new to me,” he said, adding that the verdict was delivered “without any evidence” and his legal team “was not even heard,” as reported by ANI.He confirmed that his lawyers had already been instructed to move the High Court against the verdict.PTI in an official statement described the verdict as “blatantly unconstitutional and illegal” and an act of political victimization, claiming the conviction was aimed at prolonging Khan’s imprisonment. Addressing a press conference, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram quoted Raja Khan as saying, “I remain steadfast and determined and will not seek excuses from anyone, come what may.”The case concerns allegations that a Bulgari jewelry set, worth more than PKR 71 million, received from the Saudi Crown Prince was undervalued. Khan and Bushra Bibi were convicted under sections related to criminal breach of trust and corruption, according to ANI.The conviction has sparked a public debate across Pakistan. Quoted by ANI, residents and journalists in Lahore and Peshawar questioned the credibility of the ruling, with some citing political motives and a lack of evidence. They said the verdict had further weakened public confidence in the justice system and democratic institutions.