In the Toshakhana II case, PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have been sentenced to 17, 17 years of imprisonment.
Special Judge Central Arjumand Shah announced the verdict of the Toshakhana II case at Adiala Jail in the presence of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi; however, none of the lawyers of Imran Khan or Bushra Bibi reached the court.
Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were also sentenced to 7, 7 years imprisonment under PPC section 409, and both were given a combined sentence of 17 years.
The court also sentenced Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi to a fine of Rs 1 crore 64 lakh each.
When Did The Toshakhana II Case Begin?
It may be recalled that on 13 July 2024, NAB arrested the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana II case at Adiala Jail.
The PTI founder and Bushra Bibi remained in NAB custody at Adiala Jail for 37 days, and after completion of the investigation, NAB filed the reference in the accountability court on 20 August in the Toshakhana II case.
After the Supreme Court’s decision restoring NAB amendments, on 9 September 2024, the Toshakhana II case was transferred to the FIA Anti-Corruption Court.
The FIA included section 5 of the Anti-Corruption Act and section 409 of PPC in the Toshakhana II case.
The trial of the Toshakhana II case began on 16 September 2024. Special Judge Central Shah Rukh Arjumand held the first hearing of the Toshakhana II case at Adiala Jail on 16 September.
On 23 October 2024, the Islamabad High Court approved Bushra Bibi’s bail in the Toshakhana II case, and on 24 October 2024, Bushra Bibi was released from Adiala Jail.
In the Toshakhana II case, the Islamabad High Court also approved the PTI founder’s bail on 20 November 2024, while on 12 December 2024, charges were framed against the accused.
The trial of the Toshakhana II case continued at Adiala Jail for approximately one year. There were 24 witnesses in the case, out of whom statements of 20 witnesses were recorded and cross-examined.
Important witnesses included former Military Secretary Brigadier (R) Muhammad Ahmed, private appraiser Sohaib Abbasi, and former Principal Secretary to the PTI founder, Inamullah.
The FIA prosecution team dropped four witnesses.
Allegations Against Imran Khan And Bushra Bibi
The PTI founder Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are accused of receiving a Bulgari jewelry set from the Saudi Crown Prince in 2021. According to FIA records, the total value of the jewelry set was over Rs 7 crore 15 lakh.
The record of the jewelry set was also obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The accused had the price of the Bulgari set assessed by a private firm at only Rs 59 lakh.
The jewelry set included a necklace, bracelet, ring, and earrings.
The gift received from the Saudi Crown Prince by the accused was not deposited in the Toshakhana. The valuation was determined through private appraiser Sohaib Abbas and then through customs officials.
Influence was allegedly used to obtain an undervalued assessment. The Bulgari jewelry set was neither deposited in the Toshakhana nor was its correct value assessed.
According to private appraiser Sohaib Abbas, the applicant’s private secretary Inam Shah pressured him for a lower valuation.
More than 80 hearings of the Toshakhana II case were held at Adiala Jail. From the government’s side, Federal Prosecutor Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi, Barrister Umair Majeed Malik, Bilal Butt, and Shahwaiz Gillani pursued the case.
The case of the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi was fought by their lawyers Arshad Tabrez, Qausain Faisal Mufti, and Barrister Salman Safdar.
