A special court of Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Saturday sentenced former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years of imprisonment each in the Toshakhana 2 corruption case, according to a report by Dawn.
The court also imposed a fine of Pakistani Rs 16.4 million (₹52.39 lakh) on each of them. Failure to pay the fine would result in additional jail time, as per Pakistani law.
Court cites age, gender while awarding sentence
As per the court order cited by Dawn, Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand said the punishment took into account Imran Khan’s age and the fact that Bushra Bibi is a woman, leading the court to adopt what it termed a “lenient” view.
“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, adding that these factors justified a reduced sentence.
The verdict was delivered during a hearing held inside Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan is currently incarcerated.
Case linked to luxury jewellery gift
The case pertains to the alleged purchase of an expensive Bulgari jewellery set gifted to Imran Khan by the Saudi Crown Prince during an official visit in May 2021. The prosecution claimed the set was later acquired at a significantly undervalued price, causing loss to the national exchequer.
Imran Khan was sentenced to 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 an identical sentence under the same provisions. The court also extended the benefit of Section 382-B of the Criminal Procedure Code, allowing time already spent in custody to be adjusted against the sentence.
Defence calls case politically motivated
Lawyers representing the couple said they would challenge the verdict before the high court. Both were indicted in December last year and had denied the charges in October, calling the case fabricated and politically motivated.
In his statement under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code, Imran Khan rejected the prosecution’s claims, arguing that due process was followed under the Toshakhana Policy 2018 and that the gift was duly declared, assessed and retained after payment.