In a major legal blow to the embattled former prime minister, an accountability court in Islamabad on Wednesday sentenced Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to 17 years in prison in the Toshakhana corruption case. The court also imposed a hefty fine and disqualified the couple from holding any public office for a decade.
The Verdict and Its Immediate Aftermath
The sentencing was announced by Judge Muhammad Bashir at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where the proceedings were held due to security concerns. Both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were present for the hearing. The court found them guilty of illegally selling state gifts received during Khan's tenure as prime minister, which were meant to be deposited in the Toshakhana, a government repository.
Alongside the prison term, the court slapped a fine of 1.573 billion Pakistani rupees (approximately ₹4.4 billion) on the couple. Crucially, the verdict includes a 10-year disqualification from holding any public office, a clause that directly impacts Khan's political future. This marks the third conviction for the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in recent months.
Details of the Toshakhana Allegations
The case revolves around accusations that Imran Khan and his wife received expensive gifts from foreign dignitaries during his premiership (2018-2022) and sold them in the open market for personal profit, without declaring them properly or paying the requisite fee to the treasury. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had accused them of undervaluing the gifts and illegally selling them.
Key items involved included a precious watch and jewellery sets. The prosecution argued that the couple failed to follow the official procedure for retaining gifts from the Toshakhana, which requires either paying a assessed value or depositing them. This conviction is separate from Khan's previous sentences in the cipher case and another Toshakhana case related to incorrect declarations.
Political Repercussions and Legal Battles
This verdict deals a severe setback to Imran Khan and his PTI party ahead of the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8. The disqualification from office for 10 years is a significant barrier to his return to formal politics. Khan's legal team has vehemently rejected the verdict, calling it a "sham" and part of a political witch-hunt.
They have announced plans to appeal the decision in a higher court. Khan's supporters claim the cases are politically motivated, aimed at sidelining him from the electoral process. The former cricket star has been incarcerated since August of last year on a multitude of charges, which he denies.
The sentencing adds another layer of complexity to Pakistan's volatile political landscape. With Khan barred from contesting and his party facing pressure, the electoral field is set for a major contest. The international community and human rights observers are closely watching the developments, amidst concerns about the rule of law and democratic processes in Pakistan.
