ISLAMABAD: Jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi on Monday filed separate appeals before the Islamabad High Court (IHC), challenging their convictions and 17-year prison sentences in the Toshakhana-2 case handed down earlier this month.
The appeals contest the December 20 ruling by a special court, which sentenced the former prime minister and his spouse to 17 years in prison each for allegedly purchasing luxury state gifts at heavily reduced prices. Both were also fined Rs16.4 million.
The case centres on the alleged acquisition of an expensive Bulgari jewellery set from the Toshakhana the state repository for gifts received by public officials at what prosecutors say was a token price. Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand delivered the verdict after conducting nearly 80 hearings inside Adiala Jail.
Under the judgment, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were each sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment under sections 34 and 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code, along with an additional seven years each under Section 5 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.
In their appeals, the couple have asked the IHC to set aside the Toshakhana-2 verdict, arguing that the prosecution failed to prove its case. They have maintained that the trial court wrongly relied on the testimony of an approver, which they argue cannot legally sustain a conviction. They also claimed that Sohaib Abbasi was unlawfully declared an approver in the matter.
The petitions further assert that multiple punishments cannot be imposed for the same offence and that the special central court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case. The appellants also argued that the Bulgari jewellery set was retained in line with Toshakhana rules applicable to former rulers and that the reference was filed without a proper investigation.
Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi have alleged that the case is politically motivated and part of a wider campaign of victimisation against them.
Imran Khan’s appeal has been assigned diary number 24560, while Bushra Bibi’s appeal has been registered as diary number 24561.
The conviction adds to Imran Khan’s mounting legal troubles. He has been incarcerated since August 2023 and is currently serving a separate 14-year sentence in a land corruption case. Since his ouster from office in 2022, he has faced dozens of cases, including allegations of corruption, terrorism-related offences, and violations involving state secrets — all of which he and his party deny.
What is the Toshakhana-2 case?
According to Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) records, the Bulgari jewellery set a gift from the Saudi crown prince was valued at more than Rs71 million, a valuation also confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Prosecutors allege that the accused had the set appraised at just Rs5.9 million by a private firm. The jewellery included a necklace, bracelet, ring, and earrings. It was neither deposited in the Toshakhana nor properly valued, according to the prosecution.
The valuation was initially carried out by private appraiser Sohaib Abbasi and later by customs officials. Prosecutors allege that undue influence was exerted by Imran Khan’s former principal secretary, Inam Shah, to deliberately undervalue the set.
The Toshakhana-2 case formally began on July 13, 2024, when the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) took Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi into custody at Adiala Jail. They remained in NAB custody for 37 days, after which the investigation was completed. NAB filed a reference in the accountability court on August 20, 2024.
Following a Supreme Court ruling related to amendments in NAB laws, the case was transferred to the FIA Anti-Corruption Court on September 9, 2024. The FIA added charges under Section 5 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947, and Section 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The trial officially commenced on September 16, 2024, with Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand presiding over the first hearing at Adiala Jail. Bushra Bibi was granted bail by the Islamabad High Court on October 23, 2024, and released the next day. Imran Khan was granted bail on November 20, 2024.
Formal charges were framed against both accused on December 12, 2024. The trial spanned nearly a year, with more than 80 hearings conducted at Adiala Jail.
During the proceedings, the prosecution recorded statements from 24 witnesses and completed cross-examinations of 20 key witnesses. Prominent witnesses included former military secretary Brigadier (retd) Muhammad Ahmad, private appraiser Sohaib Abbasi, and Imran Khan’s former principal secretary Inamullah.
The FIA prosecution team was led by Federal Prosecutor Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi, assisted by Barristers Umair Majeed Malik, Bilal Butt, and Shahvez Gilani, while the defence team comprised Arshad Tabrez, Qausain Faisal Mufti, and Barrister Salman Safdar.
