A special court in Pakistan on Saturday sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to 17 years in jail each. The court also imposed a fine of PKR 16.4 million on both. The verdict came in the high-profile Toshakhana-II corruption case, with Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand delivering the judgment inside Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail, where Khan is currently imprisoned.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]} This ruling marks another significant legal challenge for the former premier and his spouse.^[3][6] ### The Toshakhana-II Case Details The Toshakhana-II case centers on allegations that Khan and Bushra Bibi unlawfully kept and undervalued state gifts received during Khan's time as prime minister.^[2][3][5] Pakistan's Toshakhana is a state repository where public officials must deposit gifts from foreign dignitaries. These items legally belong to the state.^[3][8] The charges specifically involve an expensive Bulgari jewellery set gifted by the Saudi Crown Prince during an official visit in May 2021.^[9][3][5] Investigators claimed that Khan and Bushra Bibi retained the jewellery set without properly depositing it in the Toshakhana.^[9][8] The prosecution argued that the couple had the jewellery set valued at only PKR 5.9 million by a private firm.^[9] However, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) records showed the total value of the jewellery set, which included a necklace, bracelet, ring, and earrings, exceeded PKR 70 million.^[9] The FIA obtained a Letter of Mutual Legal Assistance from Bulgari in Italy to present the original price details in court.^[9] The prosecution maintained that the gift was not deposited as required by law.^[9] ### Sentencing and Legal Framework The court handed down rigorous imprisonment sentences to both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. Imran Khan received 10 years under Section 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code for criminal breach of trust and an additional seven years under sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Bushra Bibi was given the same 17-year sentence under identical legal provisions.^{[1][2][3][5][6][7]} In addition to the jail terms, the court imposed a fine of PKR 16,425,650 on each of them. Failure to pay this fine will result in an additional six months of imprisonment.^[9][1][5] The special court, led by Judge Shahrukh Arjumand, noted that it took a "lenient view" in awarding the punishment. This consideration was due to Imran Khan's age and Bushra Bibi being a woman.^[1][8][5] The court also ordered that the period the couple had already spent in custody would be counted towards their sentences.^[9][1] This particular verdict is separate from other cases pending against Khan, including those related to state secrets and another corruption case involving 190 million pounds, in which both Khan and Bushra Bibi are already serving sentences.^[9][3][5] Bushra Bibi's bail in the Toshakhana-II case lapsed following this latest verdict.^[9] ### Reactions and Appeals Both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi have consistently denied the allegations against them, describing the case as "malicious, fabricated, and politically engineered."^[8][10] Their legal team stated they were informed of the proceedings on short notice and that the verdict was announced in the absence of their lawyers.^[9] Barrister Salman Safdar, a lawyer for Khan, told the media outside Adiala Jail that the judge acted illegally by announcing the verdict without the lawyers present.^[9] Following the judgment, lawyers representing Khan and Bushra Bibi confirmed their intention to challenge the decision before the High Court.^[1][6][7] Shafi Jan, Special Assistant for Information and Public Relations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, issued a statement calling the case "concocted, fake and baseless."^[9] He also claimed that Imran Khan was not allowed access to his lawyers, calling the sentencing a "mockery of justice."^[9] The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party plans to decide its next steps after consulting legal experts.^[9] This conviction adds to the growing number of legal battles faced by the former prime minister since his removal from office in April 2022.^[4][10]

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