Toshakhana-II case: Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi sentenced to 17 years each

Rawalpindi: In the Toshakhana-II case, PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have each been sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Special Central Judge Arjumand Shah announced the verdict at Adiala Jail in the presence of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. However, none of their defense lawyers appeared in court at the time of the judgment.

Both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were also sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment each under Section 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Their combined sentence amounts to a total of 17 years each. The court additionally imposed a fine of Rs. 16.4 million on each of the accused.

When did the Toshakhana-II case begin?

It is recalled that on July 13, 2024, NAB arrested the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi in Adiala Jail in connection with the Toshakhana-II case.

They remained in NAB’s custody at Adiala Jail for 37 days. After completion of the investigation, NAB filed a reference in the accountability court on August 20.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision restoring NAB amendments, the Toshakhana-II case was transferred to the FIA Anti-Corruption Court on September 9, 2024.

The FIA added charges under Section 5 of the Anti-Corruption Act and Section 409 of the PPC to the case.

The trial formally began on September 16, 2024. Special Central Judge Shah Rukh Arjumand conducted the first hearing of the Toshakhana-II case at Adiala Jail on the same date.

On October 23, 2024, the Islamabad High Court granted bail to Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana-II case, and she was released from Adiala Jail on October 24.

Later, on November 20, 2024, the Islamabad High Court also granted bail to the PTI founder. On December 12, 2024, formal charges were framed against the accused in the Toshakhana-II case.

The trial continued at Adiala Jail for nearly one year. A total of 24 witnesses were presented in the case, out of whom statements of 20 witnesses were recorded and cross-examined.

Key witnesses included former Military Secretary Brigadier (Retd.) Muhammad Ahmed, private appraiser Sohaib Abbasi, and the PTI founder’s former Principal Secretary, Inamullah. The FIA prosecution team dropped four witnesses.