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Former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan was arrested at his residence in the eastern city of Lahore on Saturday after a lower court in the capital, Islamabad, convicted him of corruption. The decision, unless overturned, disqualifies the most popular Pakistani leader from running for office in upcoming elections. VOA Pakistan Bureau Chief Sarah Zaman reports.
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((PLAYBOOK SLUG: Pakistan - Khan Arrest
HEADLINE: Former Pakistani PM Khan's Arrested on Corruption Charges
TEASER: Imran Khan, the most popular Pakistani politician, now stands disqualified from running for office for five years, unless the conviction is overturned.
PUBLISHED: 8/05/23 at
BYLINE: Sarah Zaman
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Islamabad, Pakistan
VIDEOGRAPHER: Asim Ali Rana, Wajid Hussain, Zia-ur-Rehman, Khalil Ahmed, Wajid Asad
VIDEO EDITOR: Malik Waqar Ahmed
SCRIPT EDITORS: RH, Tom Turco
VIDEO SOURCE: Courtesy PTI, VOA Original, Wires
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV X__ RADIO _
TRT:
VID APPROVED BY:
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES:
((INTRO))
Former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan was arrested at his residence in the eastern city of Lahore on Saturday after a lower court in the capital, Islamabad, convicted him of corruption. The decision, unless overturned, disqualifies the most popular Pakistani leader from running for office in upcoming elections. VOA Pakistan Bureau Chief Sarah Zaman reports.
((NARRATION))
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested shortly after a lower court in Islamabad found him guilty of corrupt practices, ending a nearly year-long trial.
Khan was accused of selling state gifts worth $635,000 and deliberately concealing the proceeds.
He was not present in court when the judge handed down a 3-year prison sentence and a $350 fine.
Khan’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, called the verdict a "black stain on the face of justice."
((FOR RADIO: In message to supporters' party, vice president Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Khan did not get a fair trial.))
((Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf)) ((Male, Urdu))
“Imran Khan did not get his fundamental right to a fair trial under article 10-A of the constitution.”
((NARRATION))
According to Pakistani law, Khan now is disqualified from running for office for five years, unless the conviction is overturned.
((FOR RADIO: Khan's supporters say they can't think of an election without him.))
((Sheherbano, Khan Supporter)) ((Female, Urdu))
“Who will we vote for now? Who will we come out for? We can’t think of elections without Imran Khan.”
((NARRATION))
The information minister rejected the notion the government influenced the verdict to keep him out of upcoming elections.
((FOR RADIO: Information minister Marryum Aurengzeb said the verdict was not politically motivated.))
((Marryum Aurangzeb, Minister for Information)) ((Female, Urdu))
“He's a thief, he stole something, he was arrested, he will have to answer for it and face punishment. It has nothing to do with politics.”
((NARRATION))
Despite a nationwide call for protests, the response from Khan’s followers was slow, with few arrests reported early on.
((Zahid Hussain, Political Analyst)) ((Male, English))
((For radio: Analyst Zahid Hussain.))
“The kind of leadership is not out there to organize any movement. And I think it’s also the fear of the state power that will desist people from coming out on the streets.”
((NARRATION))
Khan’s arrest in May saw violent nationwide protests, including unprecedented attacks on military installations and buildings — followed by mass arrests of party workers and leaders, high-profile defections and trials in military courts.
This time, the leadership urged supporters to remain peaceful.
((Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf)) ((Male, Urdu))
“Do not destroy property. Do not take the law in your hands.”
((NARRATION))
Hussain says the verdict may not hurt Khan’s popularity, but it will erode faith in the country’s already-weak democracy.
((Zahid Hussain, Political Analyst)) ((Male, English))
“There will be huge resentment, not only among his supporters but even among those people who believe that democracy should be allowed to continue, and democratic processes should not be derailed.”
((NARRATION))
Khan’s legal team has announced it will appeal the verdict in higher courts.
((Sarah Zaman, VOA News, Islamabad))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateAugust 5, 2023 17:39 EDT
BylineSarah Zaman
Brand / Language ServiceUS Agency for Global Media, Voice of America - English
