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
Israeli media: Person behind shooting operation at Allenby Crossing is a Jordanian Army soldier.
Israeli media citing Emergency Services: Both wounded in Allenby shooting operation now dead.
Israeli media: One soldier wounded at Allenby crossing now confirmed killed.
Israeli media: Preliminary reports of shooting operation at Allenby crossing with Jordan.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two were martyred in an initial toll of the Israeli drone strike that targeted the al-Asira neighborhood in the city of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the al-Asira neighborhood east of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are the greatest resistance. Know that 'Israel' will fall because it embodies aggression, crime, and occupation; victory is truly yours
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: The value of what you are doing despite your wounds is immense, and here you are, treading the path of the Master of Nation's Martyrs and the leaders
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are moving forward with insight deeper than sight itself. The enemy sought to eliminate your role in the battle, yet you remain steadfast and continue the fight
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors one year later: You are healing from your wounds and rising above them. You have successfully passed the test

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

Imran Khan supporters, MPs detained on 2nd jail anniversary

Over 100 convicted in Pakistan for pro-Imran Khan protests

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

Why is Choose Love using a firm with British and US intelligence connections to run a pro-Palestine musical event? (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Together for Palestine: Troubling questions about the organisers of this huge event

  • Opinion
  • 17 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

  • Palestine
  • 14 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A Hezbollah supporter who lost his sight in a pager attack carried out by "Israel" on Sept. 17, 2024, covers his eyes with a red headband inscribed with the name "Hussein" during Ashoura, July 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'We Have Recovered': Lebanon marks 1st anniversary of Pager Attack

The Arab neighborhood of El Za'im, on the outskirts of east Occupied Al-Quds in the West Bank, near where Israeli government says housing units will be built as part of the E1 settlement project, Thursday, August 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Palestine

'Israel’s' deliberate policies drive West Bank economy toward collapse

Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Politics

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder resigns over parent company curbing activism

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll
US & Canada

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll

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