Imran Khan Charged With Criminal Conspiracy; Maximum Sentence — Death Penalty

Lahore: There’s no respite for Imran Khan.

The former Pakistan prime minister, who is facing numerous cases, has now been charged with criminal conspiracy for ‘masterminding’ the attack on Army installations and inciting his party workers to mutiny, a senior Punjab Police official said.

If convicted, it carries a maximum sentence of death penalty, reported PTI.

There were massive nationwide anti-government protests following Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran’s arrest in a corruption case on May 9.

Dozens of military installations and government buildings, including the military headquarters in Rawalpindi, were damaged or torched during the riots. Over 100 vehicles of police and other security agencies were set on fire.

Imran, who was later released on bail, and hundreds of PTI leaders and workers have been accused of attacking Lahore Corps Commander House and Askari Tower on May 9.

Lahore Police senior investigation officer Anoosh Masood said at a press conference here Imran and several other PTI leaders and workers have been charged with “criminal conspiracy” for inciting supporters to attack military and state installations four months ago.

“Besides section 120-B, Khan and others will face nine others offences regarding giving provocation with intent to cause riot, abetting mutiny and attempting to wage a war against Pakistan. A challan of the case has been prepared by the police investigators and prosecutors and will be submitted to the Anti-Terrorism Court Lahore,” Masood said.

Imran, who is facing numerous cases, is currently serving a three-year prison sentence in Attock Jail, in Punjab province. Arrested on August 5 in the toshakhana (gifts) case, Imran was granted bail after the higher court suspended the verdict. But he was re-arrested in the cipher case under Official Secrets Act.

The cipher case pertains to a diplomatic document, which allegedly went missing from Imran’s possession. Imran, who claimed that it contained a threat from the US to oust him from power, has approached the Islamabad High Court seeking post-arrest bail in the cipher case.