By Staff Reporter
RAWALPINDI: A special court in Rawalpindi on Saturday sentenced Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party and the country’s former prime minister, along with his wife, Bushra Bibi, to 17 years in prison in a corruption case involving the purchase of an expensive state gift jewellery set at a steeply discounted price.
The verdict, delivered by Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand during a hearing at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, where Khan has been incarcerated, marks the latest legal setback for the embattled politician, who has faced a barrage of charges since his ouster from power in 2022.
Khan, 72, was sentenced to a total of 17 years: 10 years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 409 of the penal code, for criminal breach of trust, and seven years under Section 5(2)47 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, for criminal misconduct by public servants. Bibi received identical sentences under the same provisions. In addition, the court also imposed fines of Rs16.4 million on each of them. Under the law, failure to pay the fines would result in additional jail time.
The luxury Bulgari jewellery set was presented to Khan by Saudi Arabia’s crown prince during an official visit in May 2021
The court order noted that the sentences took into account mitigating factors. “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,” the order stated. “It is in consideration of both said factors that a lenient view has been taken in awarding lesser punishment.”
The order also extended the benefit of Section 382-B of the Criminal Procedure Code to the couple, which allows the period of pretrial detention to be deducted from the sentence.
The case, known as Toshakhana-2, stems from allegations that Khan and Bibi misused their positions to acquire state gifts — in this instance, a Bulgari jewellery set, which included items such as a bracelet, ring, earrings and a necklace — from the Toshakhana, Pakistan’s repository for presents received by government officials from foreign dignitaries.
Prosecutors argued that the couple bought the items at a “throwaway price,” far below their assessed value, in violation of rules requiring such gifts to be deposited or purchased at market rates. Prosecutors argued that the undervaluation caused a loss to the national exchequer.
Immediately after the verdict, lawyers for Khan and Bibi signalled their plans to appeal the decision in the high court, setting the stage for a protracted legal battle. The couple’s legal teams have argued that the charges are baseless and that the proceedings have been marred by procedural irregularities.
The two were indicted in the case last December, part of a broader series of legal proceedings against Khan that his supporters have decried as politically motivated and “fabricated” efforts to sideline him from public life.
Khan, a charismatic cricket star turned populist leader, has denied wrongdoing in all cases, insisting they are orchestrated by his political rivals and the military establishment. In documents submitted to the court earlier this year, Khan maintained that he had complied “in letter and spirit” with Toshakhana policy, asserting that the gift had been reported and the required payment made to the government treasury.
The sentencing adds another chapter to the former prime minister’s extensive legal challenges. Khan has faced a series of trials and convictions in recent years, spanning corruption, official secrets and other allegations. While some convictions have been stayed or overturned on appeal, others have kept him in custody.
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