Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have been sentenced to further jail terms following a fraud case involving state gifts. They were convicted of breaking Pakistan's rules on gifts after Bibi was given a luxury jewellery set by Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman during a 2021 state visit.
The pair are already serving time in prison for earlier convictions, and the new sentences - 10 years for criminal breach of trust and seven years for criminal misconduct, and a fine - will reportedly run concurrently with their previous terms. Khan has described the charges as politically motivated, and his lawyer announced plans to challenge the verdict.
In an interview, Khan's lawyer Salman Safdar stated that neither Khan nor his wife were present during the sentencing, which was communicated to their legal team late on Friday after hours. This case adds to a long list of charges against Khan, who has faced allegations ranging from leaking state secrets to selling state gifts. The jewellery case, labeled Toshakhana 2, revolves around a Bulgari jewellery set gifted to Bushra Bibi by the Saudi Crown Prince.
Khan is accused of undervaluing the jewellery set in order to purchase it back at a significantly reduced price. In addition to their new sentences, the couple was fined over 16 million Pakistani rupees (£42,600).
Khan previously faced a 14-year prison sentence over a separate corruption case and continues to contest various charges, including those related to violent protests from May 2023. Although his public appearances have been scarce, communication through his social media channels has continued to critique the current government and military leadership.
The court's leniency in sentencing was noted, considering Khan's age. This verdict is just another chapter in the tumultuous journey of Pakistan's former leader, who has remained a controversial figure since his ousting in 2022.
The pair are already serving time in prison for earlier convictions, and the new sentences - 10 years for criminal breach of trust and seven years for criminal misconduct, and a fine - will reportedly run concurrently with their previous terms. Khan has described the charges as politically motivated, and his lawyer announced plans to challenge the verdict.
In an interview, Khan's lawyer Salman Safdar stated that neither Khan nor his wife were present during the sentencing, which was communicated to their legal team late on Friday after hours. This case adds to a long list of charges against Khan, who has faced allegations ranging from leaking state secrets to selling state gifts. The jewellery case, labeled Toshakhana 2, revolves around a Bulgari jewellery set gifted to Bushra Bibi by the Saudi Crown Prince.
Khan is accused of undervaluing the jewellery set in order to purchase it back at a significantly reduced price. In addition to their new sentences, the couple was fined over 16 million Pakistani rupees (£42,600).
Khan previously faced a 14-year prison sentence over a separate corruption case and continues to contest various charges, including those related to violent protests from May 2023. Although his public appearances have been scarce, communication through his social media channels has continued to critique the current government and military leadership.
The court's leniency in sentencing was noted, considering Khan's age. This verdict is just another chapter in the tumultuous journey of Pakistan's former leader, who has remained a controversial figure since his ousting in 2022.
