Jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan was on Saturday sentenced to 17 years in jail in a corruption case. A special Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) court also handed down the same sentence to PTI founder’s wife, Bushra Bibi, in the Toshakhana-2 case, local media reported.
Khan and his wife were accused of buying an expensive Bulgari jewellery set at a throwaway price. The jewellery set was gifted to Imran Khan by the Saudi crown prince when he travelled to the Gulf nation on an official visit as the PM in May 2021.
Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand handed down the sentences during a hearing at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, where Imran is currently jailed. There was massive speculation recently around Imran’s health, but the same was put to rest after his sister met the PTI leader in jail and reported him to be fine.
As per a report in The Dawn, the court has sentenced Imran to a total of 17 years in jail – 10 year rigorous imprisonment under sections 34 (common intention) and 409 (criminal breach of trust) of the Pakistan Penal Code, and seven years under Section 5(2) (criminal misconduct by public servants) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Similar sentences were awarded to Bushra Bibi.
The duo have also been slapped with a fine of Rs 16.4 million. They face an additional prison term in case of failure to pay the fines.
The court reportedly said in its order that it had considered the old age of Imran Khan as well as the fact that Bushra Bibi is a female, in awarding a lesser punishment.
Both Imran and Bushra’s lawyers suggested that the duo would appeal the court verdict before the high court.
The two had earlier rejected all allegations, calling those fabricated and politically motivated. Imran claimed the allegations were aimed at securing his disqualification from politics. He had described the entire case as “malicious, fabricated, and politically engineered”.
The PTI founder had further maintained that due process was followed in accordance with the Toshakhana Policy 2018 while acquiring the gift. “We complied with the Toshakhana Policy in letter and spirit,” he had claimed.