News Desk: A special court of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has sentenced PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison each in the Toshakhana-2 reference.
The case revolves around a high-value Bulgari jewellery set received during an official foreign visit in May 2021. According to the prosecution, the gift, estimated to be worth around Rs80 million, was retained after paying a fraction of its actual value, causing a significant loss to the national treasury. The defence rejected the allegations, insisting that the gift was declared and retained in line with the applicable Toshakhana rules.
The verdict was announced by Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand during proceedings at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. The court awarded Imran Khan 10 years of rigorous imprisonment under the Pakistan Penal Code and an additional seven years under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Bushra Bibi received the same sentence under identical legal provisions.
Both convicts were also fined Rs16.4 million each, with the court warning of further imprisonment if the fines are not paid. While determining the sentence, the judge took into account Imran Khan’s age and Bushra Bibi’s gender and allowed the benefit of counting prior detention towards their total jail terms.
After the ruling, their legal teams announced plans to challenge the decision in the high court. Both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi have consistently denied the charges, describing the case as politically motivated.
Imran Khan has been in custody since August 2023 and is already serving a separate sentence in another corruption case, besides facing additional trials linked to the events of May 9, 2023. Bushra Bibi is also incarcerated in a related reference.
