A special court on Saturday handed down its verdict in the Toshakhana-2 case, sentencing PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison. The decision has once again drawn public attention to the long-running legal cases involving the former prime minister.
The case is linked to an expensive Bulgari jewellery set that Imran Khan received as a gift from the Saudi crown prince during an official visit in May 2021. According to the prosecution, the jewellery was worth around Rs80 million. However, it was allegedly purchased at a much lower price of only Rs2.9 million, which raised serious legal and ethical questions.
Prosecutors told the court that Imran Khan kept the jewellery after paying a fraction of its actual value. They argued that this violated rules related to state gifts and amounted to misuse of authority. The court accepted the prosecution’s arguments after reviewing the evidence presented during the trial.
The verdict was announced by Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand. The hearing took place inside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan is currently imprisoned in connection with other cases as well.
Under the ruling, Imran Khan received a combined sentence of 17 years. This includes 10 years of rigorous imprisonment under sections 34 and 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deal with common intention and criminal breach of trust. An additional seven-year sentence was given under Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, related to misconduct by public office holders.
Bushra Bibi was also sentenced in the same case, marking another major development in the Toshakhana matter. The verdict has sparked strong reactions from political circles, with supporters calling it unfair and critics saying it reflects accountability.
The case adds to Imran Khan’s legal challenges and continues to shape Pakistan’s political landscape.