Imran, Bushra sentenced to 14 years in Toshakhana reference

ISLAMABAD: An Accountability Court on Wednesday sentenced former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 14 years each in prison in the Toshakhana reference.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs787 million on the two accused and barred them for 10 years from holding any public office.

AC-I Judge Muhammad Bashir pronounced the short order in Adiala Jail. Imran Khan was in the courtroom when the decision was announced.

The court declared that the prosecution has proved its case against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi and there was sufficient evidence which proved their conviction.

On the occasion, the judge asked Imran Khan whether he has submitted his statement under section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The PTI founder said that he had prepared the statement and prayed the court to grant some time till his lawyers appeared.

The court, however, denied the request to grant time and read the short order.

It may be mentioned here that the court has already abolished the right of cross-examination of witnesses by the defence lawyers.

Last month, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) filed a reference against the PTI founder and his spouse Bushra Bibi for retaining a jewellery set received from the Saudi crown prince against an undervalued assessment.

The Toshakhana has been under a microscope ever since the emergence of the allegations that Imran Khan purchased the gifts he received as prime minister at throwaway rates and sold them off in the open market for staggering profits.

The 70-year-old cricketer-turned-politician was accused of misusing his 2018 to 2022 premiership to buy and sell gifts in state possession that were received during visits abroad and worth more than Rs140 million ($635,000).

The gifts included watches given by a royal family, according to government officials, who have alleged previously that Imran Khan’s aides sold them in Dubai.

Moreover, seven wristwatches, six made by watchmaker Rolex, and the most expensive a ‘Master Graff limited edition’ valued at 85 million Pakistani rupees ($385,000), were also among the gifts.

A reference was forwarded by National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf to the Election Commission asking it to probe the matter.

The electoral body then declared the former premier guilty of corrupt practices and filed a complaint in an Islamabad court.