Imran Khan’s Early Release Hopes Diminish Further

ISLAMABAD: (Web Desk) – Former prime minister Imran Khan’s prospects of early release have dimmed further following his recent conviction in the Toshakhana-II case, adding to an already mounting legal burden.

In December 2025, a court sentenced Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to 17 years’ imprisonment each in the Toshakhana-II case. Both remain incarcerated under multiple convictions, with no immediate relief visible from higher courts.

Legal analysts say the appeal process itself has become a major obstacle. Khan’s appeal in the Al-Qadir Trust case, where the couple received 14-year sentences, was filed in January 2025. However, even after a year, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has yet to fix the case for hearing.

Under the IHC’s Fixation Policy, aligned with guidelines from the National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC), criminal appeals are scheduled strictly by seniority. Older cases — particularly those involving death and life sentences — are given priority, leaving dozens of earlier appeals ahead of Khan’s in the queue.

Party insiders privately admit that without priority fixation by the court, the Al-Qadir Trust appeal may still take months to be heard. Legal sources warn that the Toshakhana-II appeal could face a similar delay, potentially taking more than a year unless granted early hearing.

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“This means that even if relief comes in one case, the other conviction would still keep him in jail,” said a senior lawyer associated with PTI.

In addition, multiple cases related to the May 9 unrest are still pending at various stages. PTI’s own legal experts acknowledge that procedural avenues available to the prosecution could prolong proceedings, making release unlikely even if bail or acquittal is secured in a single case.

Within the party, senior leaders are said to be increasingly concerned about what they describe as a narrowing legal window for their founder. Some believe that a confrontational political approach has further reduced the likelihood of judicial or political relief.

Legal observers say that even under an optimistic scenario of acquittals at the high court level, the appeals process is expected to remain lengthy.

Unless courts grant priority hearings, a political breakthrough occurs, or an unexpected development emerges, the current legal trajectory suggests that Imran Khan’s incarceration may continue for an extended period.