RAWALPINDI STAFF REPORTER
In a landmark verdict, PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have been sentenced to 17 years in prison each in the Tosheh Khana-II case. The court also imposed a fine of PKR 16,425,650 per person. The sentencing includes 10 years under the primary charges and an additional 7 years under Section 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).Special Judge Central Arjumand Shah announced the verdict at Adiala Jail in the presence of the accused; however, neither Imran Khan nor Bushra Bibi’s lawyers were present in the courtroom.
The case dates back to July 13, 2024, when NAB took both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi into custody at Adiala Jail. After 37 days of investigation, NAB filed the reference in the Accountability Court on August 20, 2024. Following the Supreme Court’s ruling on NAB amendments, the case was transferred to the FIA Anti-Corruption Court on September 9, 2024.The FIR included sections of the Anti-Corruption Act and PPC Section 409, under which the accused could face 14 years to life imprisonment and disqualification from holding public office. The trial began on September 16, 2024, and concluded after almost a year of proceedings with over 80 hearings in Adiala Jail. Key witnesses included former military secretary Brigadier (Retd) Muhammad Ahmed, private appraiser Sohaib Abbasi, and Imran Khan’s former principal secretary Inamullah.
The case alleges that in 2021, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi received Bulgari jewelry from the Saudi Crown Prince, valued at over PKR 67.15 million. FIA records indicate that the jewelry, which included necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings, was undervalued at PKR 5.9 million by a private appraiser and not deposited in Tosheh Khana at the correct valuation. Pressure was allegedly exerted to reduce the declared value.The prosecution team included Federal Prosecutor Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi, Barristers Umair Majeed Malik, Bilal Butt, and Shahvez Gilani, while the defense was led by Arshad Tabrez, Qausain Faisal Mufti, and Barrister Salman Safdar.