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| Photo File (Aaj News) |
Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were on Monday sentenced to a total of 17 years in prison each in the Toshakhana-II case. The verdict was announced during a hearing at Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, by Special Judge Central Shah Rukh Arjumand.
The court awarded 10 years’ imprisonment to each accused, along with an additional seven years under Section 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code, bringing the cumulative sentence to 17 years per person. The court also imposed a combined fine of Rs164 million on the two convicts.
In its written verdict, the court stated that Imran Khan was given some leniency considering his age, while Bushra Bibi received consideration as a woman. Each was fined Rs164,25,650. The court further granted them the benefit of Section 382-B, meaning the period already spent in jail will be counted toward their sentences.
The Toshakhana-II case hearing had concluded with final arguments and statements recorded under Section 342. The final hearing was held on October 16, after which proceedings were adjourned three times before the verdict was delivered.
Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were formally indicted in the case on December 12, 2024. The inquiry began on January 7, 2024, and was completed by NAB on July 12, with arrests made a day later. The reference was filed on August 20, 2024, following the transfer of the case to the FIA after a Supreme Court ruling.
The case relates to gifts received during a 2021 official visit to Saudi Arabia. According to the prosecution, a valuable Graff jewellery set received as a gift was retained by Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi after paying only half its assessed value, allegedly in violation of Toshakhana rules.
Despite the conviction, the Islamabad High Court had earlier granted bail to both accused under Section 4-A on October 23, 2024. Legal experts expect the verdict to be challenged in higher courts.
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