Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have been sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment for illegally obtaining high-priced gifts from the state's Toshakhana during their tenure in office. This verdict arrives just a day following Khan's 10-year imprisonment for disclosing confidential state information, further hindering his political prospects in the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8.
The trial, overseen by Accountability Court Judge Mohammad Bashir, took place at the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where Khan is currently incarcerated. Both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were handed a 14-year jail term, prohibited from holding any public office for a decade, and each fined ₹787 million.
It's noteworthy that Bushra Bibi was absent from the court proceedings on Wednesday.
Since his removal from office following a no-confidence vote in April 2022, Imran Khan has faced over a hundred legal cases. However, this is the first instance where his wife has also been sentenced to jail time. Bushra Bibi had not been previously imprisoned, unlike her husband.
"You have to take revenge for every injustice with your vote on February 8. Tell them that we are not sheep that can be driven with a stick," Khan said in a statement posted on his X profile reacting to his 10-year sentence on Tuesday.
All about Toshakhana case
In the Toshakhana case, former Prime Minister Imran Khan is accused of "intentionally concealing information about gifts" he received while in office. These gifts, stored in the Toshakhana, a depository for items given to government officials by foreign leaders, include both the gifts and the earnings from their sales.
The National Accountability Bureau, Pakistan's anti-corruption agency, found that 71-year-old Khan and his wife bought these foreign dignitary gifts from the state at prices far below their actual value.
Among these gifts were seven watches, six of which were Rolex brands. The most valuable, a "Master Graff limited edition," is valued at about $300,000, according to Pakistan's information minister.
Imran Khan's cricketing career
The 1992 World Cup champion captain Imran, played 88 Tests and 175 ODIs in which he amassed 3807 and 3709 runs respectively. He also snared 362 Test wickets and 182 scalps in ODIs.
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