Pakistan's Imran Khan acquitted of leaking state secrets but remains in prison for other charges

Imran Khan, a former Prime Minister of Pakistan, was accused of leaking state secrets and was convicted of treason in January. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison for allegedly exposing confidential information during a protest rally. Khan claimed the document he waved was proof of threats against him and that his removal from power in April 2022 was part of a conspiracy involving the U.S., the military, and the Pakistani government. However, American and Pakistani officials denied these claims. Despite being acquitted of leaking state secrets, Khan will remain in prison as he serves other sentences and faces multiple pending cases. He has been convicted in four cases and is awaiting more trials, with over 150 lawsuits filed against him since his ouster. Khan, a former cricket star turned politician, served as Prime Minister from 2018 until his removal. The Islamabad High Court's decision to acquit Khan did not provide detailed explanations. The court ordered the previous judgement to be set aside, allowing prosecutors to appeal the acquittal. Khan's lawyer welcomed the ruling, stating that the prosecution failed to prove their case in court. However, the acquittal does not change Khan's current situation, as he will remain imprisoned. In another case related to leaking state secrets, Khan and his close aide, former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, had their sentences annulled by a court in Islamabad. The case, known as the cypher case, involved a diplomatic cable that Khan claimed supported his belief that his removal from power was part of a conspiracy. Khan has consistently denied the charges, alleging that his political opponents and the military conspired against him with U.S. involvement, a claim rejected by Washington and the Pakistani army. Khan has been in jail since August and faces trial in multiple cases. Despite facing various legal challenges, including accusations of violating Islamic law in his marriage and involvement in corruption, Khan remains a prominent opposition figure in Pakistan.