Imran Khan refuses to take 'presidential pardon' for imprisonment of 31 years

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has refused to take a 'presidential pardon' by President Arif Alvi for the imprisonment of a total of 31 years imprisonment in various cases.

This was revealed by PTI information secretary Raoof Hasan while talking to a private publication.

The PTI leader said that the President has a constitutional right to pardon convictions.

“From the various platforms including social media, we have been receiving such demands, people asking pardon for Imran Khan under the Presidential act,” he said.

Hassan added that considering such demands from people, the former prime minister has stopped President Alvi from using his presidential authority to provide legal leniency to him.

Article 45 of the constitution of Pakistan allows the President to pardon convicted on any sentence ruled by the court. 

The said article reads: “The President shall have power to grant pardon, reprieve and respite, and to remit, suspend or commute any sentence passed by any court, tribunal or other authority.”

Constitution and law experts expressed consensus that the sentence could suspended or terminated on the President's order, and some believe that as chief executive of the country the President has the right to take this step of his own will, as he has not required any recommendation.

Last year, following the conviction of Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case, the cricketer-turned-politician's counsel Latif Khosa said that the President on his own will, or on the advice of the Prime Minister can pardon any convicted under the umbrella of Article 45.

Imran Khan has been punished for 10 years in the cipher case, 14 years in the Toshakhana case, and 7 years in the Un-Islamic nikkah case, which makes a total of 31 years imprisonment.