Islamabad(The COW News Digital)In a landmark verdict, former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have each been sentenced to 17 years in prison in the Toshakhana-II corruption case. The Special Judge Central, Arjumand Shah, announced the decision in Adiala Jail in Islamabad, where both accused were present.
The court, after reviewing evidence and hearing the arguments of both prosecution and defense, found the couple guilty of misappropriating state property. Imran Khan received a 10-year sentence under Section 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code and an additional 7-year sentence under the Anti-Corruption Act, while Bushra Bibi received identical terms. Both were also fined PKR 16,405,000, with an additional six-month jail term imposed for non-payment.
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The verdict takes into account the age of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi’s gender, resulting in what the court described as “minimum appropriate sentencing.” Time spent in custody during the investigation has been included in the overall term.
The case, filed by the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle, stemmed from the failure of the couple to deposit a Bvlgari jewelry set received during an official visit to Saudi Arabia into the Toshakhana, a government repository for gifts received by public officials. Investigations revealed that the jewelry set was intentionally undervalued, causing a loss of approximately PKR 32.851 million to the national treasury.
This case is historic in FIA’s records, as it marks the first time a former prime minister and spouse were sentenced purely based on documentary evidence. The prosecution presented testimonies from 21 witnesses to establish the deliberate nature of the misconduct.
Following the verdict, the FIA took custody of the couple and transferred them to Adiala Jail to ensure compliance with the court’s orders. FIA officials, including Deputy Director Muhammad Afzal Khan Niazi and SHO Shams Gondal, were present to facilitate the execution of the ruling.
The FIA emphasized its commitment to impartial anti-corruption enforcement and praised the investigative team for their diligent work in securing this outcome. Officials highlighted that the verdict reinforces the principle that no one is above the law, regardless of their political status.
The Toshakhana-II case has drawn significant public attention, with political analysts noting its potential implications for governance, accountability, and transparency in Pakistan. The ruling underscores the importance of adherence to legal procedures for the management of state gifts and assets, setting a precedent for future accountability cases.
