Pakistan Court Sentences Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi to 17 Years in Toshakhana Corruption Case

Islamabad: A Pakistani court on Saturday sentenced former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison each in connection with the Toshakhana-2 corruption case, according to local media reports.

The case relates to the alleged unlawful purchase of a high-value jewellery set that was gifted to Imran Khan by the Saudi Crown Prince during an official visit in May 2021. The prosecution claimed that the jewellery was acquired at a significantly undervalued price, causing financial loss to the state.

The verdict was delivered by Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand of the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) special court during proceedings held at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan is currently incarcerated.

Under the ruling, Imran Khan was awarded a cumulative sentence of 17 years, comprising 10 years of rigorous imprisonment under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and seven years under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Bushra Bibi received an identical sentence under the same legal provisions.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 16.4 million on each of the accused. Failure to pay the fines would result in additional imprisonment.

According to Pakistan’s leading daily Dawn, the court noted that while awarding the sentence, it took into account Imran Khan’s advanced age and Bushra Bibi’s status as a woman, and therefore adopted a comparatively lenient approach in determining the punishment.

Following the verdict, lawyers representing Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi announced that they would challenge the decision before the high court.

The couple was indicted in the case in December last year. In October this year, both denied the allegations, describing them as fabricated and politically motivated efforts to sideline Imran Khan from active politics.

During his statement before the special court, Imran Khan rejected the prosecution’s claims, asserting that the case was malicious, engineered, and devoid of merit. He argued that he did not fall under the definition of a “public servant” as per the Pakistan Penal Code and maintained that he was unaware of the specific details of the gift presented to his wife during his tenure as prime minister.

The PTI chief further contended that all procedures outlined in the Toshakhana Policy 2018 were duly followed. He stated that the gift was reported to the Prime Minister’s Office protocol section, properly assessed, and lawfully retained after payment was made to the national exchequer.

“We complied with the Toshakhana Policy in letter and spirit,” he said.

With inputs from IANS