Toshakhana Case: Ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan Found Guilty

Toshakhana Case,Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, along with his wife, Bushra Bibi, has been handed a 14-year prison sentence for unlawfully obtaining luxurious gifts from the state treasury (Toshakhana) during their tenure in office.

The imposition of a 10-year prison term on Khan for divulging sensitive state secrets, just a day prior, marks yet another obstacle in his electoral aspirations for the forthcoming general elections scheduled for February 8.

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Accountability Court Judge Mohammad Bashir presided over the hearing at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where the current detention of the former Prime Minister is in place. Both Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were sentenced to 14 years in prison. Additionally, a 10-year prohibition from holding any public office was imposed on them, and they were each fined ₹787 million.

What Is Toshakhana Case?

Allegations have been made against Imran Khan for intentionally concealing information about gifts obtained from the Toshakhana, a depository for presents presented to government officials by foreign dignitaries during his prime ministership. These allegations encompass both the actual gifts and the proceeds derived from their sale.

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An investigation by Pakistan’s anti-corruption body, the National Accountability Bureau, revealed that the 71-year-old former prime minister and his wife purchased gifts from foreign dignitaries at prices considerably lower than their designated values, utilizing funds from the state treasury.

The identified gifts consist of seven watches, with six being Rolexes. The highest-valued among them, a “Master Graff limited edition,” is estimated at $300,000, as stated by Pakistan’s information minister.

This represents the second verdict against Khan in the corruption case, as he had previously received a three-year jail sentence from a special court last year. The prior case led to a prohibition on the former cricket star holding any public office for a duration of five years.