Imran Khan,his wife sentenced to 17 years each in corruption case

In Pakistan, a special court on Saturday sentenced Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years imprisonment each in the Toshakhana 2 case. Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand pronounced the verdict after conducting 80 hearings at Adiala Jail. The case involves the acquisition of an expensive Bulgari jewellery set at a nominal price. According to the judgment, Imran and Bushra jailed for 10 years each under sections 34 and 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code and an additional seven years’ imprisonment each under Section 5 of the Prevention Corruption Act 1947. They were also fined a total of Rs16.4 million.

"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," as per local media report. According to the prosecution, the accused persons had it valued at only Rs5.9m by a private firm. The set included a necklace, bracelet, ring, and earrings. The gift was neither deposited in Toshakhana nor correctly valued.

In October this year, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi rejected all charges in the case, calling it fabricated, and a politically driven move aimed at disqualifying him from politics. Imran Khan, who has been in prison since August 2023, is serving a 14-year sentence in a EUR 190 million corruption case and is also facing pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act over the May 9, 2023 protests. Bushra Bibi is likewise serving a seven-year sentence in the same corruption case.