Imran Khan's legal battles: A timeline from ouster to imprisonment
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, jailed since 2023, was taken to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for a medical check-up on August 21, 2026. He was later returned to Adiala jail, complying with a Supreme Court order issued earlier this week. Khan, who also captained Pakistan's cricket team, faces charges in over 100 cases. His latest conviction came in 2025 in a land corruption case, for which he was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Here is a timeline of his legal troubles since his ouster in 2022.
April 10, 2022 – Ouster as Prime Minister: Pakistan's National Assembly removed Imran Khan through a no-confidence motion, making him the first prime minister in the country's history to be unseated through such a vote. The opposition secured 174 votes in the 342-member house, exceeding the required 172. Following his removal, Khan led protests, alleging a conspiracy involving the military and political opponents.
August 22, 2022 – Terrorism charges: Khan was booked under anti-terrorism law, but the Islamabad High Court granted him protective bail. His petition argued that the government was determined to arrest him under false accusations and was 'hell-bent' on eliminating him and his party.
October 21, 2022 – Barred from elections: The Election Commission of Pakistan disqualified Khan from contesting elections for five years, after finding him guilty of concealing details of gifts received from foreign leaders. He challenged the decision in court.
May 9, 2023 – Toshakhana case arrest: Khan was arrested by paramilitary Rangers in connection with the Toshakhana case, triggering violent protests by his supporters. He was accused of illegally buying and selling state-owned gifts, valued at over Rs. 140 million, received during foreign visits while he was in office from 2018 to 2022.
May 13, 2023 – Release: The Islamabad High Court granted Khan protective bail for two weeks and ordered his immediate release. After a standoff with authorities, he was released from the premises.
August 5, 2023 – Three-year sentence: Khan was sentenced to three years in jail in the Toshakhana corruption case. The judge observed that Khan had 'cheated while providing information about gifts' and that his dishonesty was 'established beyond doubt.'
January 30, 2024 – Cipher case: Khan and former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi were each sentenced to 10 years in prison for revealing official secrets in the cipher case. They were acquitted on June 3, 2025.
January 31, 2024 – 14-year sentence: An anti-corruption court sentenced Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to 14 years in prison in the Toshakhana case.
February 3, 2024 – Unlawful marriage case: A court ruled that Khan's 2018 marriage to Bushra Bibi was illegal under Islamic law, as it took place before her mandatory waiting period ended. The couple was sentenced to seven years each.
April 1, 2024 – Suspension of sentence: A Pakistani High Court suspended the 14-year sentence handed to Khan and his wife in the Toshakhana case.
July 13, 2024 – Acquittal in marriage case: Khan and Bushra Bibi were acquitted in the unlawful marriage case.
Despite some acquittals and suspensions, Khan remains in prison. In 2025, he was convicted in a separate land corruption case and sentenced to 14 years. His ongoing legal battles continue to shape Pakistan's political landscape, with supporters demanding his release and the government defending the judicial process.
