Imran Khan may remain in prison in 2026 and beyond: report

PTI founder Imran Khan is unlikely to be freed from jail anytime soon and may remain behind bars through 2026 and even longer, according to a report in an English daily.

Within his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), there is a clear divide over the approach to Khan’s legal challenges, the report said, adding that while some members are in favour of confrontation, more moderate leaders are concerned that his situation will not improve without a change in this confrontational strategy.

Citing party sources, it said that the difficulties facing Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, are unlikely to ease given the nature of the cases and the convictions involved.

Their appeals against their 14-year sentences in the Al-Qadir Trust case have yet to be fixed for hearing by the Islamabad High Court (IHC). Before these appeals can be considered, the court must first hear their plea for suspension of the conviction, and no date has been set for this initial relief.

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The IHC follows a strict “Fixation Policy,” developed under the National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC), which prioritises older and more serious criminal cases, especially those involving life imprisonment or the death penalty.

The report said that Imran Khan’s appeal in the Al-Qadir Trust case, filed on January 31, 2024, has not been fixed for hearing. Citing court insiders, it said that given the current backlog and the order of precedence under the fixation policy, it is unlikely that the appeal will be taken up this year, as other long-pending cases are scheduled to be decided first.

PTI officials suggest that the party’s hawkish faction, which opposes dialogue, has further complicated Khan’s situation. As long as the Al-Qadir Trust conviction remains in place, Khan will stay imprisoned.