Toshakhana II case: Imran and Bushra Bibi sentenced to 17 years in prison

Special Judge Central Arjumand Shah pronounced the verdict in the Toshakhana II case in the presence of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in Adiala Jail, however, none of the lawyers of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi reached the court.
Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were also sentenced to 7 years in prison under PPC Section 409 and both were sentenced to a total of 17 years. The court also sentenced Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi to a fine of Rs 16.4 million.
When did the Toshakhana case start?
It may be recalled that on July 13, 2024, NAB had arrested the founder of PTI and Bushra Bibi in Adiala Jail in the Toshakhana II case.
The PTI founder and Bushra Bibi remained in NAB custody in Adiala Jail for 37 days and after the investigation was completed, NAB filed a reference in the Toshakhana II case in the Accountability Court on August 20.
After the Supreme Court’s decision to restore NAB amendments, the Toshakhana II case was transferred to the FIA ​​Anti-Corruption Court on September 9, 2024.
The FIA ​​added Section 5 of the Anti-Corruption Act and Section 409 of the PPC to the Toshakhana II case.

The trial of the Toshakhana II case began on September 16, 2024, with Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand holding the first hearing of the Toshakhana II case in Adiala Jail on September 16.

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

In Toshakhana II, the Islamabad High Court also granted bail to the founder of PTI on November 20, 2024, while the accused were indicted in the Toshakhana II case on December 12, 2024.

The trial of Toshakhana II case lasted for about a year in Adiala Jail. There were a total of 21 witnesses in the case. The statements of 18 witnesses were recorded and their cross-examination was completed.

The key witnesses included former Military Secretary Brigadier (R) Muhammad Ahmed, Private Appraiser Sohaib Abbasi and former Principal Secretary of the founder of PTI Inamullah. The FIA ​​prosecution team dropped four witnesses.

Allegations against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi
PTI founder Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are accused of receiving a Bulgari jewelry set from the Saudi Crown Prince in 2021. According to FIA records, the total value of the jewelry set was more than Rs 715 million.

The record of the jewelry set was also obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The accused quoted the price of the Bulgarian set from a private firm as only Rs 5.9 million. The jewelry set included a necklace, bracelet, ring and earrings.

The gift received by the accused from the Saudi Crown Prince was not deposited in the Toshakhana. The price was determined by private appraiser Sohaib Abbas and then by customs officials. Influence was used to obtain an undervalue estimate. The Bulgarian jewelry set was not deposited in the Toshakhana nor was the correct price determined.

According to private appraiser Sohaib Abbas, the petitioner’s private secretary Inam Shah pressured for a lower valuation.

More than 80 hearings of the Toshakhana II case were held in Adiala Jail. Federal Prosecutor Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi, Barrister Umair Majeed Malik, Bilal Butt and Shahweez Gilani prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

The case of the founder of PTI and Bushra Bibi was fought by their lawyers Arshad Tabrez, Quthin Faisal Mufti and Barrister Salman Safdar.