A Pakistani anti-corruption court has sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to 17 years in prison, marking the latest in a series of legal setbacks for the ousted leader. The verdict, delivered on February 17, 2025, in Rawalpindi, relates to the Toshakhana case, which centers on the illegal acquisition and sale of state gifts received during Khan's tenure from 2018 to 2022. The couple were found guilty of misusing their positions to purchase valuable gifts from foreign dignitaries at a fraction of their market value and then selling them for profit.
Imran Khan, 72, a former cricket legend turned politician, has been embroiled in multiple legal battles since his removal from office via a no-confidence vote in April 2022. The Toshakhana case is one of the most significant, alleging that Khan and his wife failed to declare gifts worth over 140 million Pakistani rupees (approximately $500,000) from foreign leaders, including expensive watches, jewellery, and other luxury items. The prosecution argued that they violated government regulations requiring all such gifts to be deposited with the state or declared as income.
The court also imposed a fine of 500 million rupees (around $1.8 million) on each of the convicts. Khan and Bibi were both taken into custody immediately after the sentencing. Khan has been in detention since August 2023 on other charges, including corruption, sedition, and even a conviction for illegally marrying his wife under Islamic law (the so-called Iddat case), which was later overturned on appeal. However, his legal troubles have only multiplied, raising concerns about the independence of the judiciary and the use of courts to silence political opposition.
Bushra Bibi, often described as a spiritual figure with a background in Sufism, has been a central figure in Khan's public image. Her involvement in the Toshakhana case has drawn renewed scrutiny on their relationship, which has long been a target of political opponents who accuse her of undue influence over Khan's decisions while in office. The couple married in 2018, soon before Khan became prime minister, and she has since been a controversial presence in Pakistani politics.
Background of the Toshakhana Case
The Toshakhana (literally “treasure house”) is a government department that stores gifts received by state officials. Pakistan's rules require that any gift valued above 10,000 rupees must be deposited with the Toshakhana. Officials may later purchase gifts with government approval at a reduced price. The controversy erupted in 2022 when opposition parties accused Khan of purchasing and selling high-value gifts, including a Rolex watch, a ring, and cufflinks, for personal gain. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) filed a reference in 2023, and a special court was established to hear the case.
In its judgment, the court noted that Khan and his wife had failed to provide any valid justification for the gifts and had misrepresented their value. The judge stated that they had “cheated the nation” by abusing their authority. The verdict has been widely criticized by Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which claims the proceedings were conducted in a predetermined manner. PTI leaders have vowed to challenge the sentence in higher courts, though many of Khan's recent appeals have been dismissed or delayed.
Imran Khan's Political Journey
Imran Khan's rise to power was nothing short of remarkable. Born in Lahore in 1952, he was educated at Aitchison College and then at the University of Oxford. He captained the Pakistan national cricket team to its first World Cup victory in 1992, becoming a national hero. After retiring from cricket, he entered politics, founding PTI in 1996. His party struggled for years, winning only one seat in the 2002 elections. But Khan's charisma and anti-corruption message gained traction, especially among urban youth and the middle class.
In the 2018 general elections, PTI emerged as the largest party, and Khan became prime minister with the support of coalition partners. His tenure was marked by economic difficulties, tensions with the military establishment, and a foreign policy that leaned toward China and Russia while distancing from the United States. He frequently clashed with opposition leaders, accusing them of corruption and nepotism. The no-confidence vote in April 2022 succeeded after several allies defected, leading to his ouster.
Since then, Khan has waged a relentless campaign against the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the powerful military establishment, which he accuses of engineering his removal. He has led mass rallies, survived an assassination attempt in November 2022, and faced countless legal cases. The Toshakhana conviction adds to his already heavy legal baggage, which includes a 10-year sentence in a separate state secrets case (the cipher case) and a 7-year sentence for illegal marriage – both of which are under appeal.
Legal and Political Implications
The 17-year sentence is one of the longest given to a former prime minister in Pakistan's history. It effectively bars Khan from holding public office for life, as the constitution disqualifies anyone convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude from serving in parliament. This comes as PTI had hoped to contest the next general elections, scheduled for 2026 but possibly earlier. Khan's absence from the political arena could reshape the country's dynamics, though his party retains significant grassroots support.
Human rights organizations and international observers have expressed concern about the fairness of the trial. Transparency International has noted that Pakistan's anti-corruption courts often operate behind closed doors, with limited access for media and defendants. Khan's lawyers have alleged that he was not given a proper opportunity to defend himself and that witnesses were coerced. The United Nations has called for due process, but Pakistan's government insists the judiciary is independent.
The timing of the verdict is also notable. It comes just weeks after the military-backed caretaker government extended the tenure of the Chief Justice, a move seen as an attempt to ensure favorable rulings. Analysts argue that the establishment is determined to eliminate Khan as a political force, viewing his populist movement as a threat to the status quo. With a staggering number of cases against him – over 150 at last count – Khan's future looks increasingly uncertain.
Bushra Bibi's Role and Public Perception
Bushra Bibi, 50, has been a polarizing figure. She is a former beautician and faith healer who became Khan's spiritual mentor before their marriage. Her influence over Khan has been the subject of much speculation, with opponents dubbing her “the real power behind the throne.” In the Toshakhana case, the prosecution alleged that she personally selected luxury gifts from the state depository and facilitated their sale. The court found her equally culpable, rejecting her claims of ignorance.
Her conviction has also sparked debate about gender dynamics in Pakistani politics. While some see her as a victim of a patriarchial system, others argue that she exploited her position for personal gain. The couple's legal team plans to appeal, arguing that the evidence against her was circumstantial at best. Meanwhile, PTI supporters have rallied around both Khan and Bibi, portraying them as martyrs in a struggle for justice.
The sentence for Bushra Bibi is particularly notable because she is only the second wife of a former prime minister to be sentenced in such a high-profile case. The first was Nusrat Bhutto, who was detained after her husband Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's execution in 1979. This historical parallel underscores the deeply polarized nature of Pakistani politics, where legal battles often double as political vendettas.
International Reactions and Future Prospects
The international community has reacted cautiously. The United States State Department urged all parties to respect the rule of law, while the European Union called for a transparent legal process. However, no major power has condemned the conviction outright, reflecting a delicate balance between supporting democratic norms and maintaining bilateral ties with Pakistan. China, a key ally, avoided comment, while Saudi Arabia expressed concern over stability.
Inside Pakistan, the verdict has heightened tensions. PTI called for a nationwide strike, but turnout was limited due to a heavy police presence. Social media platforms buzzed with accusations and defenses, with the government blocking several pro-Khan accounts. The army, which has directly ruled Pakistan for half its history, remains a silent but powerful player. Many believe that the Toshakhana case is a signal from the establishment that no deviation from its favored path will be tolerated.
As Imran Khan begins this latest prison term, the political landscape in Pakistan grows even more uncertain. His party, while weakened by defections and arrests, still commands the loyalty of millions. The 17-year sentence may be the end of his political career, but it could also breathe new life into his movement. History has shown that Pakistani leaders who face imprisonment often gain sympathy and even return to power – as was the case with Nawaz Sharif, Benazir Bhutto, and even Khan's predecessor Asif Ali Zardari. Whether Khan can emulate that remains to be seen, but for now, he and his wife face nearly two decades behind bars, with no end to their legal battles in sight.
Source: France 24 News