Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi Sentenced to 17 Years in Toshakhana-2 Case
Special court convicts PTI founder and his wife over undervalued Bulgari jewellery, while PTI calls verdict “political revenge.
ISLAMABAD: A special court on Saturday sentenced former Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years imprisonment in the Toshakhana-2 case. The case involves the purchase of a Bulgari jewellery set, gifted to Imran by the Saudi crown prince during an official visit in May 2021, at a fraction of its value. The set, worth approximately Rs80 million, was allegedly retained after paying only Rs2.9 million.
The verdict was delivered by Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where Imran is currently incarcerated. Imran received 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment under sections 34 and 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code, and seven years under Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Bushra Bibi received the same sentence. Both were fined Rs16.4 million, with failure to pay resulting in additional jail time.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar clarified that Imran’s sentence in this case will begin after completing his 14-year sentence in the £190 million corruption case. The court noted the ages of the convicts, granting a lenient view, and considered time already spent in detention.
The PTI condemned the verdict, calling the proceedings a “kangaroo court” and alleging the trial was closed-door and politically motivated. Imran’s sister Aleema Khan criticized the timing and secrecy of the verdict, while PTI leaders described the case as lacking credible evidence and based on promissory notes. The party also raised concerns over Bushra Bibi’s solitary confinement and claimed violations of constitutional rights and double jeopardy.
Government officials, however, defended the judgment. Information Minister Tarar said the couple had committed fraud by undervaluing and retaining gifts, breaching public trust. Minister of State for Law and Justice Aqeel Malik described the verdict as aligned with the law and the Constitution, emphasizing that legal violations demand punishment. Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani highlighted that the judgement followed proper legal procedures under Toshakhana rules, establishing wrongdoing by Imran and Bushra Bibi.
The Toshakhana-2 verdict comes amid ongoing legal challenges against Imran Khan, including pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act related to May 9, 2023 protests.
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