Former PM Imran Khan Sentenced in Toshakhana Case

Islamabad High Court Sentences Former PM Imran Khan to Three Years in Toshakhana Case

Islamabad, Aug 5: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) delivered a significant verdict on Saturday, convicting former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case. He has been sentenced to a minimum of three years in prison and fined 100,000 PKR. The IHC, which heard the case daily, reached this decision after considering statements from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and Khan’s lawyer. The court found Imran Khan guilty of corrupt practices related to acquiring gifts from Toshakhana and misusing his public office to manipulate procedures and valuations of the gifts he received as Prime Minister from various countries and delegates.

The accusations against Khan included using corrupt means to acquire gifts, jewelry, and other items worth billions of rupees, as well as using his position to manipulate procedures and pay only 20% of their undervalued price through undeclared accounts.

The trial court in Islamabad previously declared the PTI chief guilty of corrupt practices and concealing details of Toshakhana gifts. It accused Imran Khan of submitting false information to the Election Commission of Pakistan deliberately.

Following the IHC’s ruling, Imran Khan was taken into custody from his residence in Zaman Park, Lahore.

The Toshakhana case against Imran Khan was based on a criminal complaint filed by the ECP, which Khan had challenged. Despite attempts by Khan and his legal team to avoid the proceedings, the case proceeded. The lawyers had raised concerns about bias in the court but were unsuccessful in changing the judge.

Imran Khan had also approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan, seeking to halt the proceedings, but the court rejected his request.

In response to the verdict, the ruling party’s spokesperson and special assistant to the Prime Minister, Atta Tarar, accused Imran Khan of lying and stealing in the Toshakhana case. He stated that Khan had illegally taken precious gifts from Toshakhana, failed to declare them with the ECP, manipulated valuations, and sold the items on the open market.

The PTI’s legal team plans to challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court, raising concerns about the session judge’s hasty decision, which they believe indicates bias against Khan.