Daijiworld Media Network - Islamabad

Islamabad, Dec 20: A special court of Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency on Saturday sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison each in the Toshakhana 2 corruption case, involving the alleged undervalued purchase of a Bulgari jewellery set gifted by the Saudi crown prince.

The court also imposed a fine of PKR 16.4 million (approx. Rs 52.4 lakh) on each, with failure to pay attracting additional jail time. While delivering the verdict at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, special judge Shahrukh Arjumand cited Imran Khan’s age and Bushra Bibi’s gender in taking a “lenient” view.

Imran Khan’s sentence includes 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment under sections 34 and 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code and seven years under Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Bushra Bibi received an identical term. The court granted credit for time already served under Section 382 B of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Lawyers for the couple said they plan to challenge the verdict in the High Court. Both had denied wrongdoing earlier, calling the case “malicious, fabricated, and politically engineered,” and asserted compliance with the Toshakhana Policy 2018, maintaining that the gift was declared, assessed, and legally retained after payment to the national exchequer.

The Toshakhana 2 case, in which both were indicted in December 2024, has become a focal point of political tensions in Pakistan, highlighting allegations of corruption against former leaders while drawing global media attention.