Pakistan: Former PM Imran Khan and wife Bushra Bibi sentenced to 17-17 years in Toshakhana corruption case

Islamabad, 20 December. A special court in Pakistan on Saturday sentenced former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in jail each in the Toshakhana-2 corruption case. Special court judge Shahrukh Arjumand pronounced the verdict during a special hearing held at the high-security Adiala jail in Rawalpindi.

Accused of selling valuable gifts received from Saudi Arabia

The case pertains to an expensive set of Bulgari jewelery gifted to Imran Khan by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia during the former Prime Minister’s official visit in May, 2021. Officials say that it was later purchased at a much lower price.

A fine of Rs 1.64 crore was also imposed on Imran and Bushra.

Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 10 years each under section 409 (criminal breach of trust) of the Pakistan Penal Code and seven years each under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1.64 crore each on both of them. While sentencing, the court has considered the old age of Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi and the fact that Bushra Imran Khan is a woman. Keeping these two factors in mind, leniency has been exercised in giving punishment.

The case was registered in July, 2024

The case was filed in July, 2024 and it was alleged that Khan and Bibi had sold valuable clothes, expensive watches, diamonds and gold jewelery without depositing them in the Toshakhana (state gift store).

Both the convicts can appeal against the sentence in the High Court

In October 2024, the Islamabad High Court granted bail to Bushra in this case and a month later, Khan was also granted bail in this case. The trial against him started in December last year. Meanwhile, the prosecution process took place at Adiala jail, where Khan and his wife are incarcerated after their conviction in the Al-Qadeer Trust case earlier this year. Both convicts can appeal against their sentences in the High Court.