Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi Sentenced to 17 Years in Toshakhana-II Case

A special court on Saturday sentenced Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison each in the Toshakhana-II reference, marking another major legal setback for the jailed opposition leader.

The case relates 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—at a heavily undervalued price. Prosecutors argued that the jewellery, worth around Rs80 million, was retained after a payment of only Rs2.9 million, causing financial loss to the state.

The verdict was announced by Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand during proceedings held at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan has been incarcerated since August 2023.

Under the ruling, Imran Khan was awarded 10 years of rigorous imprisonment under Sections 34 and 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code, along with an additional seven years under Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Bushra Bibi received the same cumulative sentence under identical legal provisions.

Both convicts were also fined Rs16.4 million each, with the court warning that failure to pay the fines would result in further imprisonment. The court granted them the benefit of Section 382-B of the Criminal Procedure Code, allowing time already spent in custody to be counted towards their sentences.

In its written order, the court stated that it had considered Imran Khan’s age and Bushra Bibi’s status as a woman while awarding what it described as a comparatively lenient punishment.

Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were indicted in December last year and had denied all allegations, calling the case politically motivated and aimed at sidelining the former prime minister from politics.

Imran Khan is already serving a 14-year sentence in the £190 million corruption case and faces additional trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act related to the May 9, 2023 protests. Bushra Bibi is also serving a seven-year sentence in the same corruption reference.

Political Reaction & Government Response

The PTI rejected the verdict, terming the jail trial a “kangaroo court” and alleging that the proceedings were neither free nor fair. Party leaders and family members claimed the judgment was pre-written and politically driven.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar welcomed the ruling, stating that the sentences would run consecutively and begin after the completion of Imran Khan’s current jail term. He said the case involved fraud, breach of trust, and misuse of public office.

Law and finance ministry officials also defended the verdict, arguing that the evidence showed the gifts were undervalued, improperly retained, and not deposited according to Toshakhana rules.