December 20, 2025 — Islamabad / Rawalpindi
A special accountability court in Pakistan has sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison each in a high-profile corruption case known as the Toshakhana-2 case.
📌 Details of the Verdict
- The sentence was handed down by Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand inside the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) court at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where both are already in custody.
- The conviction relates to allegations that Khan and Bushra Bibi misused and unlawfully acquired state gifts from the Toshakhana (the official repository of gifts received by state officials).
- Prosecutors argued that an expensive Bulgari jewellery set and other luxury items — gifted to Khan by the Saudi Crown Prince in 2021 — were purchased at grossly undervalued rates, causing financial loss to the state.
- Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were each awarded:
- 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment under Section 409 (criminal breach of trust) of the Pakistan Penal Code, and
- 7 years’ imprisonment under Section 5 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
- Both were also fined PKR 16.4 million (approximately $70,000) each, with additional imprisonment to follow if fines are unpaid.
- The court applied a “lenient view” given Khan’s age and Bushra Bibi’s gender, and allowed credit for time already served.
🧑⚖️ Legal and Political Context
- The Toshakhana-2 case is one of several legal proceedings against Imran Khan since his government was ousted in April 2022. Khan has been in jail since August 2023, where he is serving other sentences from separate corruption cases.
- The former prime minister and his lawyers reject the charges, labelling the case politically motivated and pledging to appeal the verdict at higher courts.
- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Khan’s political party, has condemned the ruling and called for protests, arguing the trial lacked basic procedural fairness.
🧠 Implications
- This sentencing adds significant additional prison time to Khan’s existing convictions, potentially extending his period behind bars beyond current terms if the sentences are upheld on appeal.
- The verdict is likely to have major political repercussions in Pakistan, where Khan remains a deeply influential and polarising figure.
📌 References
- Reuters: Pakistan court hands Imran Khan, wife 17-year jail terms in another graft case — https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/pakistan-court-hands-imran-khan-wife-17-year-jail-terms-another-graft-case-2025-12-20/ Reuters
- Associated Press: Pakistan’s ex-PM Imran Khan, wife sentenced to 17 years in graft case — https://apnews.com/article/5f22b343b4103e4312ed60a357b870d1 AP News
- Times of India: Ex-Pak PM Imran Khan, wife sentenced to 17 years in Toshakhana case (with fine) — https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/toshakhana-case-ex-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-wife-bushra-bibi-sentenced-to-17-years/articleshow/126089492.cms The Times of India
- France24: Pakistan sentences ex-PM Imran Khan and wife to 17 years in prison for corruption — https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20251220-pakistani-court-sentences-former-pm-imran-khan-wife-17-years-corruption-case
