ISLAMABAD: Jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi on Monday filed separate appeals in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against their convictions in the Toshakhana-2 case, challenging the 17-year prison sentences awarded by a special court earlier this month.
The appeals contest the December 20 verdict by a special judge, who sentenced the former prime minister and his spouse to 17 years’ imprisonment each over the under-priced purchase of luxury state gifts. The couple were also fined Rs16.4 million in the case.
The conviction relates to the alleged acquisition of an expensive Bulgari jewellery set from the Toshakhana, the state repository for gifts received by public office holders, at a nominal price.
Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand handed down the verdict after conducting around 80 hearings at Adiala jail. Under the ruling, Imran and Bushra were sentenced to 10 years each under sections 34 and 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code, along with an additional seven years’ imprisonment each under section 5 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947. In their appeals, the couple have sought to have the Toshakhana-2 judgment set aside, arguing that the prosecution failed to establish its case.
The petitions maintain that the trial court wrongly relied on the testimony of an approver, which, according to the appellants, could not legally form the basis of a conviction. They have also argued that an individual, Sohaib Abbasi, was unlawfully made an approver in the case.
The appeals further contend that multiple punishments cannot be awarded for the same offence and that the special central court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case. The appellants have also claimed that the Bulgari set was retained in accordance with Toshakhana rules applicable to former rulers, and that the reference was filed without a proper investigation.
Imran and Bushra have alleged in their appeals that the case is politically motivated and part of a broader campaign of victimisation.
Imran’s petition has been assigned diary number 24560 and Bushra’s appeal registered as diary number 24561.
The latest conviction adds to Imran Khan’s legal woes, as he has been in jail since August 2023 and is currently serving a separate 14-year sentence in a land corruption case. He faces dozens of cases filed since his removal from office in 2022, ranging from corruption and terrorism-related charges to allegations involving state secrets, all of which he and his party deny.
