Ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan and Wife Handed 17-Year Sentence in High-Stakes Corruption Case

Major Legal Blow for Ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan: 17-Year Sentence in Toshakhana Case

Pakistan's political landscape continues to be rocked by legal developments as former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have been sentenced to 17 years in prison. A Pakistani court delivered the verdict, finding them guilty of charges related to the illegal retention and sale of valuable state gifts, a saga often referred to as the "Toshakhana case." This significant ruling comes after years of accusations that the couple profited by selling gifts, including exquisite jewelry from the Saudi Arabian government, significantly below their true market value.

Khan and Bibi have vehemently denied all allegations, asserting their innocence throughout the proceedings.

The Core of the State Gifts Controversy

Under Pakistani law, officials receiving gifts from foreign dignitaries are required to purchase them at their market value if they wish to keep them. Any profits from subsequent sales must also be declared. Prosecutors in this high-profile case contended that Imran Khan and his wife manipulated this system. They allegedly acquired numerous items at an artificially deflated price of $10,000, only to then sell them for a substantial profit, while the true market value of these gifts was estimated to be around $285,521. This alleged discrepancy formed the bedrock of the prosecution's case.

Conflicting Narratives: Supporters Denounce, Government Upholds

The sentencing has ignited a firestorm of protest from Khan's fervent support base. His spokesperson, Zulfikar Bukhari, swiftly condemned the verdict, stating that "criminal liability was imposed without proof of intent, gain, or loss, relying instead on a retrospective reinterpretation of rules." Khan's political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), echoed this sentiment on social media, branding the proceedings a "sham" and declaring the ruling a "black chapter in history." They criticized the "closed-door jail trial" held in Rawalpindi's Adiala prison, calling it a "military trial" that barred Khan’s family from attending.

Adding to the chorus of dissent, Aleema Khanum, Imran Khan’s sister, speaking to Al Jazeera, labelled the case "fabricated." She described it as part of a broader conspiracy by political opponents to sideline her brother and "steal the people’s mandate." She questioned the severity of the sentence, asking, "You think Imran is going to spend 10 years in jail for a necklace being underpriced? Seriously? That’s 17 years of conviction?" She further dismissed the judicial process as a "collapsed judicial system."

Conversely, the government maintains the fairness and legitimacy of the court's decision. Minister of Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar asserted that the conviction and sentencing followed a thorough examination of "solid evidence," emphasizing that the couple engaged in corruption and the court delivered a "fair decision."

Legal Experts Weigh In on the Evidence

High court advocate Tania Bazai, based in Pakistan, challenged claims that the prosecution’s case lacked substance or was politically motivated. "The legal counsel of Imran Khan hasn’t provided a single document that can be in his defense," Bazai stated. She argued, "it was a very strong case on the prosecution’s side." Bazai highlighted the testimony of key witnesses, including Khan's principal and military secretaries at the time, who she said presented "solid evidence." She concluded that "This entire case is based on documented evidence."

Broader Political Context and Khan's Ongoing Legal Battles

This latest verdict adds to a series of legal challenges for Imran Khan, who served as Pakistan's prime minister from 2018 until his removal via a no-confidence vote in April 2022. Since August 2023, he has been imprisoned on various charges, including corruption and revealing state secrets, all of which he denies, claiming they are politically motivated. While he has secured acquittals in some cases, his legal struggles continue. Khan, a globally recognized former cricket star, retains significant popularity in Pakistan, and his incarceration has repeatedly sparked widespread protests. His consistent allegations of a U.S.-backed conspiracy, supported by Pakistan's powerful military, in his ouster have been denied by all involved parties.

This 17-year sentence, therefore, marks another critical juncture in the tumultuous political career of theex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan and wife sentenced to 17 years in corruption case, further deepening the divides within the nation's political landscape.