PTI founder, Bushra Bibi sentenced to 17 years in prison in Toshakhana-2 case
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, marking another major legal setback for the former prime minister.
The verdict was announced by Special Judge Central Islamabad Shahrukh Arjumand inside Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, where the court convicted Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi under multiple charges related to criminal breach of trust and illegal retention of state gifts.
According to the court order, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment under Section 409 for criminal breach of trust and an additional seven years under Sections 5, 2 and 47, bringing the cumulative sentence to 17 years each. The court also imposed a fine of Rs16.45 million on each convict, while directing that the sentences would run concurrently.
The Toshakhana-2 case revolves around allegations that Imran Khan unlawfully retained a high-value Bulgari jewellery set received as a diplomatic gift during an official visit to Saudi Arabia while he was prime minister. Investigators allege that the jewellery was deliberately undervalued at the time of declaration, causing a loss of Rs32.85 million to the national exchequer.
According to official records presented during the trial, the Bulgari jewellery set was worth approximately Rs75.66 million, significantly higher than the declared value. The prosecution maintained that the former premier and his wife failed to follow the prescribed Toshakhana rules governing the declaration, valuation and purchase of state gifts.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling on amendments to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) laws, the Toshakhana-2 reference against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi was transferred from NAB to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). Subsequently, the FIA constituted a three-member Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to probe the matter.
After completion of the investigation, the Toshakhana-2 case record was shifted to the court of the Special Judge Central, where proceedings continued with the recording of evidence. During the trial, statements of 20 witnesses were recorded by the prosecution.
On July 13, NAB had re-arrested Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in connection with the Toshakhana-2 reference shortly after they were granted bail in the “Iddat Nikah” case, further complicating their legal situation.
The verdict adds to the growing list of convictions against the PTI founder, as legal proceedings continue in multiple cases linked to his tenure in office. PTI leaders have previously dismissed the Toshakhana cases as politically motivated, while government officials insist the convictions are based on evidence and due legal process.
