The recent legal proceedings against Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have sparked criticism and concern among legal experts and journalists. The consecutive sentences handed down to Imran and Shah Mehmood Qureshi by special courts have been described as rushed and lacking credibility. Legal experts have raised concerns about the fairness of the trials and the impact on public faith in the justice system.
Lawyer Basil Nabi Malik criticized the back-to-back convictions as shocking to some and expected to others, and raised doubts about the credibility and fairness of the verdict. He also suggested that the verdict may politically strengthen Imran Khan ahead of the upcoming elections.
Journalist Shahzeb Jillani expressed his view that the trials and subsequent verdicts have made a mockery of the judicial process and have established a deep dislike for Imran Khan among state institutions. He cautioned that the victimization of Imran is turning him into a mythical figure in the public eye, generating sympathy and support for him.
Other journalists, including Arifa Noor and Zarrar Khuhro, also voiced their concerns about the verdicts and the impact on democracy and political victimization in Pakistan.
Overall, the legal proceedings against Imran and the subsequent verdicts have sparked widespread criticism and concern about the fairness of the trials and the implications for the country’s political landscape.