In a significant turn of events, the Islamabad High Court has granted major relief to former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, by overturning their sentence in the Toshakhana corruption case. The lower court had previously sentenced both of them to 14 years in prison just before the general elections in Pakistan.
The Toshakhana corruption case involved allegations of Imran Khan unlawfully keeping expensive government gifts. Imran Khan challenged the lower court’s decision in the Islamabad High Court. A two-member bench led by Chief Justice Aamir Farooq heard the case and decided to suspend the sentence of the former Prime Minister and his wife, granting them temporary relief on bail.
However, the court announced that the appeal against the conviction will be heard next month after the Eid holidays. Imran Khan’s release is still uncertain as he faces charges in other cases, and he cannot be released until acquitted of all charges. Similarly, Bushra Bibi has also been implicated in another case, and her release may not be granted even after the suspension of her sentence.
The Toshakhana corruption case revolves around accusations that Imran Khan
During his tenure as Prime Minister, misused his authority by keeping expensive government gifts without following the proper procedures. He was alleged to have either failed to deposit the gifts in the Toshakhana or obtained them at undervalued prices.
Just one day after being sentenced to 10 years in the Sifarish case on January 30, Imran Khan was found guilty in the Toshakhana case as well. Prior to this, he was also convicted in a separate Toshakhana case in August 2023, leading to his arrest. The latest conviction was based on allegations that during his tenure as Prime Minister, he or his spouse received gifts improperly and misused their authority.
Imran Khan has been implicated in four separate cases since losing power in April 2022. He has been granted bail in both Toshakhana cases. (Input-PTI)
The Islamabad High Court’s decision marks a significant development in Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi’s legal battles, providing them with temporary respite while they await further proceedings in the case.