Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, along with his wife Bushra Bibi, has been sentenced to additional jail terms in connection with a fraud case involving state gifts. The couple was convicted of violating Pakistan’s rules concerning the handling of gifts received by public officials. The case centers around a luxury Bulgari jewellery set given to Bushra Bibi by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a 2021 state visit.
Under Pakistan’s Toshakhana rules, state gifts are meant to be deposited with the Toshakhana department. Politicians can, however, buy back these items at a price determined by their market value. Khan and Bibi have been accused of requesting a private firm to undervalue the jewellery set, allowing them to purchase it at a significantly reduced price.
The pair were handed two separate sentences: 10 years for criminal breach of trust and 7 years for criminal misconduct. They were also fined over 16 million Pakistani rupees (£42,600). The new sentences will run concurrently with their existing prison terms, stemming from earlier convictions.
Khan, who has been imprisoned since August 2023, has strongly denied the charges, calling them politically motivated. His legal team intends to challenge the verdict in Pakistan’s High Court. Khan’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, mentioned that they were only informed of the sentencing late on Friday night, after regular court hours, and plan to appeal.
This new case is part of a broader series of charges Khan faces. Since his ousting as Prime Minister in April 2022, Khan has been implicated in over 100 legal cases, ranging from corruption charges to accusations of leaking state secrets. Earlier in 2023, Khan was sentenced to 14 years in prison for a separate corruption case. He has also been involved in terrorism charges connected to violent protests that occurred after his previous arrest in May 2023.
The Toshakhana case, referred to as Toshakhana 2 in Pakistan, has added to the growing list of legal issues for the former cricket star-turned-politician. Despite his incarceration, Khan’s social media accounts remain active, frequently posting messages critical of Pakistan’s current government and army chief, General Asim Munir.
Khan has not been granted many visitor privileges during his imprisonment. After a campaign by his family and party, his sister was permitted to visit him in early December. A few hours after the visit, a post attributed to Khan on his social media account referred to General Asim Munir as a “mentally unstable person.”
Despite his legal challenges, Khan’s influence within Pakistan’s political landscape remains strong. His followers continue to rally behind him, and his critical stance against the government and military leadership shows no signs of fading.
Adapted from BBC News
