ISLAMABAD, Dec 20: A Pakistani court on Saturday sentenced former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to 17 years in prison each in the Toshakhana-2 corruption case.
The verdict was announced by Special Court Judge Shahrukh Arjumand at the high-security Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where Khan has been detained since August 2023.
The case relates to allegations that the former couple misused and sold valuable state gifts received from the Saudi government in 2021 without depositing them in the Toshakhana, the official state repository for gifts given to public officials.
The court handed down 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment under Section 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code for criminal breach of trust, along with an additional seven years under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Both were also fined PKR 16.4 million each.
In its judgment, the court cited Khan’s age and Bushra Bibi’s gender as mitigating factors, stating that a lenient view was taken in awarding lesser punishment.
The court also allowed the benefit of Section 382-B of the Criminal Procedure Code, enabling the period already spent in detention to count toward their sentences. A total of 21 witnesses testified during the trial, and both convicts were present when the verdict was delivered.
Khan has rejected the allegations, calling the case politically motivated and fabricated. The prosecution argued that the couple undervalued expensive watches and diamond and gold jewellery, allegedly purchasing items worth around Rs 70 million at a much lower valuation.
Although both were granted bail in the case in late 2024 and indicted in December, proceedings continued at Adiala Jail, where they are already incarcerated following convictions earlier this year in the Al-Qadir Trust case. They retain the right to appeal the verdict in the High Court.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised over Khan’s detention conditions. A UN special rapporteur recently urged Pakistani authorities to end his reported solitary confinement, citing potential harm to his physical and mental health. Jail authorities, however, maintain that Khan remains in good health. (PTI)
