Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan, wife handed 17-year jail term in fresh corruption case: Report

A special court of Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Saturday, December 20, sentenced former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi,

to 17 years’ imprisonment in the Toshakhana-2 corruption case, Dawn reported.

According to the court order cited by Dawn, the sentences took into account Imran Khan’s age and the fact that Bushra Bibi is a woman, which led the court to adopt a “lenient view” while awarding punishment.

“This court, while passing sentences, has considered the old age of Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi as well as the fact that Bushra Imran Khan is a female. It is in consideration of both said factors that a lenient view has been taken in awarding lesser punishment,” the order stated, as quoted by Dawn.

Both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were also fined ₹16.4 million each. Failure to pay the fines would result in additional imprisonment, the report said.

The verdict was delivered by Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand during a hearing at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan is currently incarcerated.

As per Dawn, Imran Khan was sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment under Sections 34 (common intention) and 409 (criminal breach of trust) of the Pakistan Penal Code, and an additional seven years under Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which deals with criminal misconduct by public servants. Bushra Bibi received an identical sentence under the same provisions.

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The court also granted both convicts the benefit of Section 382-B of the Criminal Procedure Code, which allows the period already spent in detention to be counted towards the total sentence, Dawn reported.

The case relates to the alleged purchase of a high-value Bulgari jewellery set, which Imran Khan reportedly received as a gift from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during an official visit in May 2021 and later acquired at a significantly undervalued price, according to the report.

Following the verdict, lawyers representing Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi said they would challenge the decision in the high court.

The couple were indicted in the case in December last year. Earlier, in October, both denied all charges, describing the case as fabricated and politically motivated, Dawn reported.

Recording his statement under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code, Imran Khan rejected the prosecution’s narrative, calling the case “malicious, fabricated and politically engineered.” He argued that he did not qualify as a “public servant” under the Pakistan Penal Code and said he was unaware of the specific details of the gift, which he claimed was presented to his wife.

According to Dawn, the PTI founder also maintained that due process was followed under the Toshakhana Policy 2018, asserting that the gift was properly declared to the Prime Minister’s Office protocol section, assessed, and legally retained after payment was deposited into the national exchequer.

“We complied with the Toshakhana Policy in letter and spirit,” he said.