An accountability court on Saturday sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra to imprisonment in addition to imposing fines on them after finding them guilty of corruption-related charges.
In his verdict, Judge Shahrukh Arjumand sentenced both Khan and his wife to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment each under Section 409 (criminal breach of trust) and seven years each under Section 5 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The sentences will run concurrently, meaning the net prison term for both is 10 years, reduced by time already served.
The judge has also imposed fines of Rs. 16.4 million on both convicts. Any failure to pay the fines will result in longer jail terms. The legal teams of both convicts have announced they will challenge the decision before a high court.
The case pertains to Khan and his wife, during his time as prime minister, acquiring an expensive Bulgari jewelry set gifted to them by the King of Saudi Arabia for a price below the market rate. The National Accountability Bureau accused them of using their influence to get a throwaway appraisal from a private party. Both of them were indicted in the case in December 2024.
“This court, while passing sentences has considered the old age of Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi, as well as the fact that Bushra Imran Khan is a female,” read the ruling. Khan is 73 years old.
“It is in consideration of both said factors that a lenient view has been taken in awarding lesser punishment,” the ruling continued, adding the convicts were given the benefit of Section 382B (period of detention to be considered while awarding sentence of imprisonment) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
During previous proceedings, Khan and Bushra had denied all allegations against them, declaring the case a fabricated and politically motivated attempt to disqualify the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder from politics. In his statement under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code, Khan had argued that he did not qualify as a “public servant” under the Pakistan Penal Code. He also maintained that he acquired the Bulgari set in accordance with the Toshakhana Policy 2018.
Minister of State for Law and Justice Aqeel Malik told Geo News after the verdict that it was “in line with the Constitution and the law.” He noted the trial had spanned 15-16 months and the prosecution had “proven” the PTI founder and his wife had caused significant losses to the national exchequer by undervaluing the Bulgari set.