Additional Sentences for Former Leader
Imran Khan, the former prime minister of Pakistan, along with his wife Bushra Bibi, have been given additional prison terms in connection with a fraud case centered on state gifts. The couple was found guilty of violating Pakistan's regulations regarding such gifts.
Details of the Case
The case, known locally as Toshakhana 2, involves a luxury jewelry set from Bulgari that was presented to Bushra Bibi by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during an official visit in 2021. According to Pakistani law, state gifts are supposed to be deposited with the Toshakana department, though officials may buy them back.
Prosecutors alleged that Khan arranged for a private company to appraise the jewelry at a lower value, enabling him to repurchase it at a substantially reduced price. In addition to prison time, the court imposed a fine exceeding 16 million Pakistani rupees.
Legal Response and Broader Context
Khan has dismissed the accusations as politically driven. His attorney, Salman Safdar, informed BBC News that the defense intends to contest the ruling in a higher court. Speaking to the BBC after the sentencing, Mr. Safdar noted that Khan and his wife were not present at the hearing and that their legal team received notification of the verdict late on a Friday night, outside regular court hours.
This ruling adds to a series of legal challenges faced by the former cricket star, who has been in detention since August 2023. In January, he received a 14-year sentence in a separate corruption matter. He is implicated in over 100 cases, covering allegations from disclosing state secrets to improperly handling state gifts, though the precise number remains unverified by the BBC.
Khan was removed from office in April 2022 following a no-confidence vote. Despite his incarceration, messages attributed to him continue to appear on social media, often criticizing Pakistan's current government and military leadership.
The court mentioned showing leniency in sentencing due to Khan's "old age."
