From Bhutto to Imran Khan: Chronicle of judicial convictions in Pakistan

by: Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal

Since the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the prime minister's office has been at the center of judicial oversight. The judiciary frequently intervened, leading to the conviction and disqualification of several prime ministers, events which not only shaped their political destinies but also left an indelible mark on the democratic fabric of the country.

The founder of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the country's first democratically elected Prime Minister, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, ended with his overthrow in a military coup by General Zia-ul-Haq in 1977. By Subsequently, Bhutto was arrested and tried for the murder of Nawab Mohammad Ahmed Khan Kasuri. The trial, widely criticized for its political overtones, resulted in his conviction and execution on April 4, 1979, a decision that remains one of the most controversial in Pakistan's judicial history.

Mohatrama Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan's first female prime minister, faced judicial scrutiny during and beyond her tenure. Although her governments were dismissed twice for corruption and mismanagement, it was during her years in opposition that she was convicted by the courts. In 1999, an accountability court convicted her in absentia of corruption, sentencing her to five years in prison and banning her from holding public office. However, this verdict was later overturned in 2001 due to insufficient evidence and procedural flaws.

Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, another notable personality, served as Prime Minister for three non-consecutive terms (1990-1993, 1997-1999 and 2013-2017). His political career was marred by multiple convictions. During his second term as prime minister, a military coup led to his ouster on October 12, 1999. He was later convicted by an anti-terrorism court of hijacking and terrorism, charges related to his attempt to deny landing rights to a plane carrying General Pervez Musharraf. This resulted in a life sentence, which was commuted following a deal leading to his exile. Sharif's third term ended in 2017 when the Supreme Court disqualified him from office. This disqualification followed corruption charges uncovered in the Panama Papers, which resulted in a verdict on July 28, 2017. Subsequently, an accountability court sentenced him to 10 years in prison in the leading Avenfield case .

Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, who served as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2012, was disqualified by the Supreme Court on June 19, 2012. This disqualification resulted from his refusal to write a letter to Swiss authorities to reopen corruption cases against the president of the time, Asif Ali. Zardari. The court found Gilani in contempt, ending his tenure and setting a precedent for judicial review of executive compliance.

Raja Pervez Ashraf, Gilani's successor, also faced legal challenges. Although he completed his term, he was implicated in the Rental Power Projects corruption case. While investigations and trials continue, his name remains associated with allegations of financial irregularities during his tenure as prime minister.

Imran Khan, the leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), served as Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022 and has become yet another victim of Pakistan's political-judicial entanglements. In 2023, he was convicted in the Toshakhana case, accused of concealing details of state gifts and selling them illegally. This conviction resulted in a three-year prison sentence and his disqualification from elections. Although the conviction was later stayed, Khan continues to face numerous legal challenges.

On January 17, 2025, the judiciary convicted former Prime Minister Imran Khan for financial misconduct and abuse of power. This conviction, announced by a special audit court, concerned allegations of misuse of public funds for personal purposes during their mandate. The court sentenced the individual to 14 years in prison, accompanied by a heavy fine and a ban on holding public office. The verdict was seen as part of the judiciary's ongoing efforts to ensure accountability of the country's political elite, but it also sparked debates over the impartiality of the decision.

The overall narrative of these beliefs reveals a pattern in which legal actions are often intertwined with political conflicts. While some leaders have faced genuine accusations of corruption or misconduct, others have apparently been targeted in politically motivated cases. The country's leaders' recurring legal battles reflect the fragile state of governance and accountability in Pakistan, raising questions about the impartiality of judicial processes and the overriding influence of political agendas.

The Quran and Hadith emphasize the principles of justice and impartiality in governance. Surah An-Nisa (4:135) commands believers to stand firm in justice, even against themselves or those close to them. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) highlighted the dangers of selective accountability, stating: People before you were destroyed because they inflicted legal punishment on the poor and forgave the rich (Sahih Bukhari) . These lessons emphasize the need for fair and impartial justice, a standard against which judicial actions must be measured.

Although the judiciary's role in holding prime ministers to account is essential to ensuring the rule of law, it has often been criticized for its excessive and selective application of justice. Allegations of judicial activism have sometimes undermined public confidence in its impartiality. Ensuring that judicial actions comply with Quranic principles of justice and transparency is essential to strengthening democracy and fostering trust in state institutions.

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