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Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi receive new jail sentences
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have been handed additional prison terms after being convicted of fraud related to state gifts. The sentences-10 years for criminal breach of trust and seven years for criminal misconduct-will run concurrently with their existing jail terms, a court ruled on Saturday.
Case details and allegations
The conviction stems from a 2021 state visit during which Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman gifted Bibi a luxury Bulgari jewellery set. Under Pakistani law, such gifts must be deposited with the Toshakhana, the state treasury, though officials may purchase them back at assessed value.
Prosecutors alleged Khan arranged for the jewellery to be undervalued by a private firm before buying it back at a fraction of its worth. The court also imposed a fine of over 16 million Pakistani rupees (approximately £42,600) on the couple.
Legal battles and political context
Khan, who has been detained since August 2023, faces over 100 charges, including corruption, terrorism, and leaking state secrets. In January, he received a 14-year sentence in a separate corruption case, though that conviction is currently suspended pending appeal.
His legal team condemned the latest verdict as politically motivated. Defence lawyer Salman Safdar told the BBC the sentencing was communicated late on Friday, outside normal court hours, and vowed to challenge the ruling in the high court.
"This is yet another attempt to silence Imran Khan through the judicial system," Safdar said.
Public and political reactions
Despite his incarceration, Khan's social media accounts remain active, with messages critical of Pakistan's military leadership and current government frequently posted after jail visits. In early December, his sister was permitted a brief visit-his first in nearly a month-after which a post attributed to Khan called army chief Asim Munir a "mentally unstable person."
The court cited Khan's "old age" as a mitigating factor in the sentencing, though no further family visits have been allowed since the December meeting.
Background on Toshakhana cases
This latest case, dubbed "Toshakhana 2," follows an earlier conviction in a separate but similar case involving state gifts. That verdict is also under appeal. Khan, a former cricket star turned politician, was ousted as prime minister in April 2022 through a no-confidence vote.
His supporters allege the charges are part of a broader campaign to exclude him from politics, while authorities maintain the prosecutions are lawful.
