Post by : Saif Rahman

A Pakistani court has handed down a 17-year prison sentence to former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in an ongoing corruption scandal. This ruling intensifies the legal troubles for Khan, who has been incarcerated since August 2023.

The conviction stems from allegations regarding the improper handling of luxurious gifts received during Khan's tenure as prime minister. Prosecutors claim that the couple acquired high-value items, such as expensive watches, for significantly less than their actual market value, leading to financial losses for the government. Both Khan and Bibi have refuted the claims.

In the ruling, the court sentenced them to ten years for criminal breach of trust, coupled with an additional seven years under anti-corruption statutes, along with substantial fines.

Khan's legal representative, Rana Mudassar Umer, contested the decision, claiming the verdict was delivered without full consideration of their defense, calling it an unjust ruling that infringed on legal rights.

Pakistan's Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, noted that this new 17-year sentence will initiate only upon the completion of Khan's current 14-year term related to a separate land corruption matter, meaning he may remain incarcerated for many years if the verdicts are upheld.

The case revolves around gifts allegedly received from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during official visits; Pakistan's regulations require gifts to either be returned or purchased at their full value. Prosecutors assert the couple violated these rules by purchasing the items at discounted prices.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Khan's political party, has denounced the ruling, asserting that the charges against him are politically motivated. Party spokesperson Zulfi Bukhari criticized the judgment as an exploitation of the judicial system to target adversaries.

Khan's legal team plans to appeal the decision in the Islamabad High Court, with proceedings expected to begin shortly.

This case is not isolated, as earlier Toshakhana affairs resulted in prison sentences for Khan and Bushra Bibi, though those sentences had been later suspended. Toshakhana refers to the government body that manages gifts received by officials.

Following the latest ruling, PTI has announced intentions to organize protests across Punjab. Moreover, the party has accused authorities of obstructing familial and legal visits to Khan recently; however, officials maintain that he is being treated according to prison protocols.

Imran Khan, once a celebrated cricket player, has become a polarizing figure in Pakistan. His ongoing legal battles could significantly influence the political landscape in the coming months.

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