A special court has sentenced former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison each in the Imran Khan Toshakhana case, along with a fine of Rs16.4 million per convict.
The verdict was announced during a jail trial held at Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, by Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand. The case relates to a high-end Bulgari jewellery set gifted to Imran Khan by the Saudi crown prince during a visit in May 2021.
Imran Khan Toshakhana Case Verdict Announced
According to the prosecution, the jewellery set valued at approximately Rs80 million was unlawfully retained after being purchased for just Rs2.9 million. The court sentenced Imran Khan to 10 years under sections 34 and 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code and an additional seven years under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Bushra Bibi received the same sentence under identical provisions.
Both were also fined Rs16.4 million each, with additional imprisonment prescribed in case of non-payment.
Court Cites Jewellery Gift and Undervaluation
In its written order, the court stated that a lenient sentence was awarded due to Imran Khan’s age and Bushra Bibi’s gender. The benefit of Section 382-B of the Criminal Procedure Code, allowing time already served to count toward the sentence, was also granted.
The prosecution presented 21 witnesses, including Imran Khan’s former military secretary, who testified that the former PM instructed him not to deposit the Bulgari set in Toshakhana.
Defence Claims Political Motivation
Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi denied all charges, calling the case fabricated and politically motivated. Khan challenged the jurisdiction of NAB and FIA, questioned the admissibility of foreign evidence, and described himself as a “political prisoner.”
He also claimed that more than 350 cases had been filed against him since 2022 to sideline him from politics.
