Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan appeals conviction as lawyer calls prison sentence 'unlawful'

The former Pakistani prime minister's lawyer says the High Court in Islamabad will hear the appeal on Wednesday after Khan was ousted in a a vote of no confidence in April 2022

Imran Khan (

Image: RAHAT DAR/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is appealing his conviction and three-year prison sentence for corruption.

His lawyer, Naeem Haider Panjutha, said the High Court in Islamabad will hear the appeal on Wednesday. Khan, 70, was ousted in a no-confidence vote in April 2022 but remains the country's leading opposition figure. He was found guilty and jailed on Saturday for concealing assets after selling state gifts he received while in office.

Mr. Panjutha met Khan in the maximum security prison of Attock in the eastern province of Punjab. The former cricket star has denied the charges. Khan's lawyers say his conviction should be "overturned" and declared "unlawful and without legal authority".

Supporters protest against Khan's imprisonment (

Picture:

SHAHZAIB AKBER/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

They are also asking the court to acquit Khan, claiming he was illegally arrested. His Pakistani party Tehreek-e-Insaf claims he was a victim of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which the government denies.

Mr. Sharif, 71, replaced Khan last year and is expected to step down today at the end of this parliament's term. His ruling party, the Muslim League, faces stiff competition from Khan's party. Under Pakistani laws, no convicted person is eligible to lead a party. But if Khan's conviction is overturned, he will be allowed to appear.

Khan was previously arrested on corruption charges in May, sparking protests, but the court ruled his arrest was unlawful. Mr Panjutha said Khan was being held in a cramped cell but had "high morale". Khan claimed his ousting was a plot by Washington, Mr. Sharif and the Pakistani military - accusations...