Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was charged Wednesday with contempt of the electoral commission, according to his lawyer Naeem Haider Panjutha, who posted the information on a social media platform.
Khan, 71, a former cricket star, has faced political and legal challenges since his removal from office in April 2022.
He has been out of public view since being sentenced to three years in jail in August for illegally selling state gifts during his tenure from 2018 to 2022. “The Election Commission indicted Imran Khan in the absence of lawyers,” Panjutha wrote.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has initiated contempt proceedings against Khan and other leaders of his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Despite facing charges, Khan, considered one of the country’s most popular leaders, has denied all allegations. He claims he is being targeted by the military, which he accuses of trying to exclude him from elections. The military has denied these accusations.
Last week, a high court upheld Khan’s disqualification from contesting elections.
