Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The strike targeted a motorcycle; one injury reported
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli drone strike targets the town of Majdalzoun
Free Patriotic Movement in Lebanon leader Gebran Bassil: Anyone participating in the [Lebanese] government and holding a sovereign ministry must not turn a deaf ear to the sound of drones, nor label aggression as self-defense
Free Patriotic Movement in Lebanon leader Gebran Bassil: Those who truly want Lebanon to remain 10,452 square kilometers must not turn a blind eye to "Israel’s" occupation of five new sites and the demolition of homes
Sheikh Qassem: "Israel" will not be able to maintain presence [in Lebanon], and God willing, we shall rebuild our homeland and villages, forging ahead with both construction and liberation hand in hand
Sheikh Qassem: We engaged in the municipal elections with a national spirit, a unifying vision, and a developmental spirit; we do not seek to exclude any component; rather, we extended our hand to everyone
Sheikh Qassem: A stable Lebanon benefits both Lebanon and others, and no one should extort us in terms of the country's reconstruction
Sheikh Qassem: We are a cornerstone in every advancement in Lebanon; our fingerprints are present in every milestone, and we are an inseparable part of every positive development it witnesses
Sheikh Qassem: I advise President Trump to seize the opportunity and free himself from the burden of "Israel"
Sheikh Qassem: No one can uproot the Resistance from Lebanese soil, for it is woven into the very fabric of Lebanon, and the essence of Lebanon stands firmly upon the pillar of resistance

Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi: 14-year sentence in Toshakhana case

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News Websites
  • 31 Jan 2024 08:16
  • 2 Shares
4 Min Read

The ex-Prime Minister of Pakistan and his wife have each been handed a 14-year prison sentence.

  • x
  • In this file photo, with a white sheet put around them, PTI Chairman Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi arrive at the Lahore High Court. (AFP)
    In this file photo, with a white sheet put around them, PTI Chairman Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi arrive at the Lahore High Court. (AFP)

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 14 years in jail in the Toshakhana case. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) filed a new reference against them, accusing them of "retaining a jewelry set received from the Saudi crown prince at an undervalued assessment."

The verdict, delivered just eight days before the February 8 general elections, adds to the challenges facing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party amid a state crackdown and the absence of an electoral symbol. This comes just one day following another sentencing of Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi to 10 years in prison for allegedly "disclosing state secrets".

Dive deeper

Accountability Judge Mohammad Bashir presided over the hearing at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail, where former Prime Minister Imran Khan is currently held. During the hearing, Imran and Bushra were both sentenced to 14 years in jail, fined Rs787 million, and banned from holding any public office for 10 years. While Imran Khan was present, his wife did not appear in court.

The judge had previously closed the opportunity for cross-examination of prosecution witnesses and directed Imran and Bushra to record their statements under Section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Under Section 342, the judge has the authority to pose questions to an accused individual regarding the case after the prosecution witnesses have been examined but before the accused is called upon for their defense.

Related News

Pakistan court sentences 25 protesters amid 'crackdown on dissent'

Pakistan locks down capital as Imran Khan's supporters stage march

In a previous hearing related to the Cipher case, Bushra Bibi provided her statement in the Toshakhana case, while Imran Khan could not do so.

During that session, Imran's legal team sought the court's permission to reinstate the right of cross-examination, but Judge Bashir rejected the request. Imran had requested the court to allow his lawyers to cross-examine three crucial witnesses in the case, including an appraiser and the military secretary.

Nevertheless, Amjad Pervaiz, the special prosecutor for NAB, contended that Khan switched legal representatives nine times within a couple of weeks. The ninth lawyer, instead of conducting a cross-examination of the witnesses, requested additional time, as per Prevaiz.

The big picture

Imran Khan, removed through a no-confidence vote in April 2022, is currently serving a three-year prison term in an alleged corruption case. This development unfolds ahead of the parliamentary elections set for February 8, where Khan is disqualified from running.

Despite being deemed "ineligible" for the February election, Khan retains significant political influence due to his widespread support and anti-establishment stance. Khan affirms that the legal proceedings against him are a scheme to sideline him before the vote.

Following Khan's arrest in May 2023, Pakistan witnessed violent protests, amid a crackdown against his supporters and party.

It is worth noting that the independent human rights commission in Pakistan has recently raised concerns about the likelihood of a fair parliamentary election next month, citing "pre-poll rigging". It has also expressed worry over the rejection of candidacies, including Khan and senior members of his party.

The allegations against Khan originated when he revealed a confidential document during a rally, emphasizing it as evidence of threats and asserting a US conspiracy in his ousting.
 
The document, known as Cipher, has not been publicly disclosed by the government or Khan's lawyers but is purportedly diplomatic correspondence between the Pakistani Ambassador to Washington and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad.

Read more: It's all in 'Cypher': How US exerted pressure on Pakistan to oust Khan

  • Pakistan Tahreek-i-Insaf
  • Pakistan elections
  • Imran Khan
  • Pakistan
  • Toshakhana case

Most Read

Rachel Accurso criticized for speaking out on Gaza children crisis

Ms. Rachel accused of antisemitism for speaking out for Gaza children

  • Politics
  • 20 May 2025
Martyrs, injuries in violent Israeli bombardment of southern Gaza

Israeli operation fails; IOF launch violent strikes on Gaza

  • Politics
  • 19 May 2025
The spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, giving a statement on Friday, April 11, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemeni Armed Forces declare Haifa Port under naval siege

  • Politics
  • 20 May 2025
A 3D render of China's planned 'drone mothership' Credit: X/@XH_Lee23

China unveils drone mothership capable of swarm attacks

  • US & Canada
  • 20 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
'Paddystinian’: A proud label for Irish activists
Palestine

'Paddystinian': How slur became badge of Irish pro-Gaza solidarity

A Gaza Tribunal booklet at the Gaza Tribunal's launch in London, United Kingdom, November 4 2024 (Gaza Tribunal)
Politics

Gaza tribunal to probe Israeli genocide, war crimes opens in Sarajevo

Chinese military personnel line up during the Golden Dragon military exercise in Svay Chok village, Kampong Chhnang province, north of Phnom Penh Cambodia, Thursday, May 30, 2024 (AP)
Politics

US forces at critical juncture in era of rising Chinese power

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump tensions
US & Canada

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump pressures

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS