In a landmark ruling on Saturday, Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were sentenced to 17 years in prison each by a special court in the Toshakhana 2 corruption case.
The 73-year-old Khan, who has been behind bars since August 2023, faces several legal cases following his removal from office in April 2022. The Toshakhana 2 case centers on allegations that the former prime minister and his wife engaged in fraudulent dealings with state gifts received from the Saudi government in 2021.
Special court judge Shahrukh Arjumand delivered the verdict at Rawalpindi’s high-security Adiala Jail, where Khan is currently held. The court handed down 10 years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code for criminal breach of trust and seven additional years under sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Each convict was also fined PKR 16.4 million.
The judgment noted that Khan’s age and Bushra’s gender were considered while deciding the sentence, leading to a comparatively lenient punishment. The period already spent in detention has also been credited toward their sentences under Section 382-B of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Throughout the trial, 21 witnesses provided testimony. Both Khan and Bushra were present in court as the judgment was announced. In his defense, Khan rejected all allegations, calling the case “malicious, fabricated, and politically motivated.”
The allegations revolve around valuable gifts, including luxury watches and diamond and gold jewelry sets, that the former couple reportedly sold without depositing them in the official Toshakhana repository—a legal requirement for gifts received by state leaders. Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani highlighted that the gifts’ actual value was Rs 70 million, though they were reportedly purchased at undervalued rates by Khan and Bushra.
The Toshakhana, under the Cabinet Division, stores gifts given to government officials and heads of state. While officials can purchase gifts, it must be done according to formal rules.
Earlier, in October 2024, Bushra Bibi was granted bail, followed by Khan in November 2024. Both were formally indicted in December. The prosecution continues at Adiala Jail, where the couple had already been serving time for a separate conviction in the Al-Qadir Trust case. They have the right to appeal the verdict in the High Court.
Prison authorities reported that Khan is in “good health,” though visits have been heavily restricted. UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Alice Jill Edwards, recently urged the Pakistani government to end Khan’s solitary confinement, citing its serious physical and mental health risks. Khan has been barred from outdoor activity, communal prayers, and regular interaction with visitors.
Imran Khan, who led Pakistan as its 19th prime minister from August 2018 until April 2022, remains a prominent figure in the nation’s politics. While his supporters express concern over the fairness of the trial, the court maintains that the verdict reflects established legal proceedings.
