A special court of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Saturday sentenced Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years of imprisonment each in the Toshakhana-2 case.
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The case relates to the alleged illegal purchase of a high-value Bulgari jewellery set, which Imran Khan received as a gift from the Saudi Crown Prince during an official visit in May 2021, reportedly acquired at a significantly undervalued price.
The verdict was announced by Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand during proceedings held at Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, where Imran Khan is currently incarcerated.
According to the court ruling, Imran Khan was awarded 10 years of rigorous imprisonment under Sections 34 (common intention) and 409 (criminal breach of trust) of the Pakistan Penal Code, along with an additional seven years under Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act for criminal misconduct by a public servant.
Bushra Bibi was handed an identical sentence under the same legal provisions.
In addition to prison terms, the court imposed a fine of Rs16.4 million on each convict, warning that failure to pay would result in additional imprisonment.
The court noted that leniency was exercised while determining the sentence, citing Imran Khan’s age and Bushra Bibi’s status as a woman. It also granted both convicts the benefit of Section 382-B of the Criminal Procedure Code, allowing the period already spent in detention to be counted toward their sentences.
Following the verdict, legal representatives for both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi announced plans to challenge the ruling in the high court.
The couple was formally indicted in December last year. In October, both denied all allegations, calling the case politically motivated and fabricated, aimed at sidelining Imran Khan from politics.
During his statement under Section 342 of the CrPC, Imran Khan rejected the prosecution’s claims, asserting that the case was “malicious, fabricated, and politically engineered.” He argued that he did not qualify as a “public servant” under the Pakistan Penal Code and maintained that he had no direct involvement in the handling of the gift, which he said was presented to his wife.
Imran Khan further stated that the gift was handled in full compliance with the Toshakhana Policy 2018, claiming it was properly declared, evaluated by the relevant authorities, and retained after the required payment was deposited into the national treasury.
“This is a developing story,” and further details are expected as legal proceedings continue.
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