Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi sentenced to 17 years in Toshakhana 2 case

• Court awards 10-year term to Imran, spouse under PPC section.
• Imran, Bushra sentenced to 7 years under PCA section.
• Special court also fines former premier, wife Rs16.4m.
  

RAWALPINDI: A special court on Saturday sentenced Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years’ imprisonment each in the Toshakhana 2 case.

Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand pronounced the verdict after conducting 80 hearings at Adiala jail. The case involves the acquisition of an expensive Bulgari jewellery set at a nominal price.

According to the judgment, Imran and Bushra were jailed for 10 years each under sections 34, 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code and an additional seven years’ imprisonment each under section 5 of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) 1947.

They were also fined a total of Rs16.4 million. The judgment read that the court, while passing the sentences, considered Imran’s old age and the fact that Bushra Bibi is a woman.

“Taking these factors into account, a lenient approach was adopted in awarding lesser punishment. Additionally, the benefit of Section 382-B of the CrPC has been extended to both convicts,” the judgment read.

According to the prosecution, the accused persons had it appraised at only Rs5.9m by a private firm. The set included a necklace, bracelet, ring, and earrings. The gift was neither deposited in Toshakhana nor correctly valued.

The valuation was conducted by private appraiser Sohaib Abbasi and later by customs officials, with undue influence allegedly exerted by the former principal secretary, Inam Shah, to undervalue the set.

The Toshakhana 2 case, involving Imran and his spouse, began on July 13, 2024, when the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) took both into custody at Adiala jail. They remained in NAB’s custody for 37 days before the investigation was completed. On August 20, 2024, NAB filed a reference in the Accountability Court regarding the case.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision pertaining to NAB amendments, the case was transferred to the FIA Anti-Corruption Court on September 9, 2024. The FIA included charges under Section 5 of the PCA, 1947, and Section 409 of the PPC.

The trial formally began on September 16, 2024, with Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand presiding over the first hearing at Adiala jail. Bushra Bibi was granted bail by the Islamabad High Court on October 23, 2024, and released the following day.

Imran also received bail on November 20, 2024. On December 12, 2024, formal charges were framed against both accused. The trial continued for nearly a year, with over 80 hearings conducted at Adiala Jail.

The prosecution recorded statements of 24 witnesses, completing cross-examinations of 20 key witnesses. Notable witnesses included former Military Secretary Brigadier (retd) Muhammad Ahmad, private appraiser Sohaib Abbasi, and Imran Khan’s former Principal Secretary Inamullah.

The FIA prosecution team was led by Federal Prosecutor Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi, along with Barristers Umair Majeed Malik, Bilal Butt, and Shahvez Gilani. The defence was represented by Arshad Tabrez, Qausain Faisal Mufti, and Barrister Salman Safdar.