In a significant development from Pakistan, former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have each been handed a 17-year prison sentence. A Pakistani court delivered the verdict on Saturday, December 20, in a corruption case centered on the alleged under-priced acquisition and sale of luxury state gifts.
This isn’t Khan’s first run-in with the law concerning state property. Previously, he faced a 14-year and a 3-year sentence in separate cases, also related to illegally obtaining and selling state gifts. While those previous sentences have been suspended during appeals, this new ruling adds another layer to his legal challenges.
The current case, widely known as the “Toshakhana” case (Toshakhana translates to ‘state treasury’), revolves around Khan and his wife allegedly selling state gifts worth over 140 million Pakistani rupees, equivalent to more than $501,000. These valuable items were received during Khan’s tenure as Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022. Among the lavish presents were diamond jewelry and an impressive collection of seven watches, six of which were high-end Rolexes. One particularly extravagant Rolex alone was valued at a staggering 85 million rupees, or about $305,000.
Both Khan and Bushra Bibi have vehemently denied any wrongdoing in the matter. Khan has been incarcerated since August 2023, facing various legal battles. Interestingly, many of the convictions against him leading up to the February 2024 national election have since been overturned or suspended. However, this latest sentence keeps the spotlight firmly on the former leader’s ongoing legal saga.
Source: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/asia/pakistan-imran-khan-wife-17-years-sentence-corruption-case
