ISLAMABAD (Farrukh Shahbaz Warraich) — Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan was found guilty in the high-profile £190 million case, a verdict awaited by millions across Pakistan. The courtroom was abuzz with anticipation as journalists gathered to witness the landmark decision, which Khan himself seemed to have predicted.
Wooden barriers separated the attendees, creating a tense atmosphere. Shortly before the judge entered, Imran Khan made a dramatic appearance by extending his hand through a window, addressing the crowd with his characteristic wit. “It seems like there’s a huge crowd today. Have all the journalists come, or only selected ones?” he quipped, displaying confidence despite the looming verdict.
When asked about his condition, Imran Khan assured the journalists, “I’m absolutely fine,” and expressed certainty about his sentencing. “The whole of Pakistan knows this,” he remarked. In response to speculation about the length of his potential sentence, he dismissed the distinction: “What difference does the number make? A sentence is a sentence. Anyone who stands with me also gets punished, and any judge who gives the right decision is also sent away.”
The PTI chairman’s frustration surfaced when journalists posed questions about his past remarks on prominent figures, including a property tycoon he had previously criticized. When asked why he had not condemned the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, he deflected, insisting on focusing on domestic issues.
However, his composure faltered when his wife, Bushra Bibi, was mentioned. Khan, visibly concerned, referred to her as “a domestic woman” and implied her well-being weighed heavily on him. His agitation grew when accusations of hypocrisy were raised, with a journalist likening him to “someone who built a mosque from stolen money.”
As the judge delivered the guilty verdict, Imran Khan maintained a stoic smile, but his demeanor shifted when his wife’s name came up during the proceedings. Seated cross-legged moments earlier, he now appeared visibly troubled.
After the ruling, Imran Khan, surrounded by journalists, declared, “This country is under a dictator’s rule.” When pressed to identify the alleged dictator, he cryptically responded, “You all don’t know?” and refused to elaborate further, leaving the journalists and public alike speculating about his veiled accusations.
