Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have been sentenced to 17 years imprisonment each in the Toshakhana -2 corruption case, as reported by PTI. The case relates to alleged irregularities related to state gifts that the former first couple got from the Saudi government in 2021. The verdict came even as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf remained lodged in Adiala Jail following his incarceration in 2023.
What was the judgment made?
The judgment was declared by Special Court judge Shahrukh Arjumand at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where the proceedings were conducted under Section 409 (criminal breach of trust) of the Pakistan Penal Code and an additional seven years under the sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. As per the PTI report, the court has also announced a fine of Rs 16.4 million on each of them.
What is the case against EX-Pak PM Imran Khan?
The case centres on the alleged purchase of an expensive Bulgari jewellery set. This gift was presented to Khan by the Saudi crown prince during an official visit in May 2021 at a throwaway price, as per a report by Dawn. The report also mentioned that both Imran and Bushra were sentenced under provisions that include PPC Sections 34, 409, and Section 5 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. If they fail to submit the fine, then the jail time could be extended.
The court order stated it took into account Imran Khan’s age and Bushra Bibi being a woman, and applied the benefit of Section 382-B (counting detention time toward the sentence). After the verdict, Dawn reported, the couple’s legal team indicated that it could challenge the ruling in the high court. Imran and Bushra had earlier denied the claims, terming the case as politically motivated.
Recently, Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has demanded an end to what is described as his “solitary confinement”. A report by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Alice Edwards, has raised concerns over his detention conditions at Adiala Jail. Citing PTI’s statement, ANI stated that the UN report cautioned that the conditions of Khan’s detention could amount to inhuman or degrading treatment. The report has urged Pakistan authorities to adhere to international standards and norms. The party claimed the issue of prolonged isolation, reportedly up to 23 hours a day, along with continuous CCTV surveillance. He has been isolated from the outside world, curtailment of religious practices, restrictions in meeting with family members and legal counsel and denial of basic necessities. The party stated that this violates prison rules and international human rights law.