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 correspondent: An Israeli drone attacked the main road in the town of Harouf, South Lebanon.
Lebanese President: Israeli aggression on Blida took place in aftermath of meeting of ceasefire monitoring committee.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun asks Commander of Lebanese Army to confront any Israeli incursion into liberated Lebanese territory in the South.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli aircraft launch series of strikes on area of Jarmaq, South Lebanon.
Reuters: Afghanistan and Pakistan agree to restart peace talks in Istanbul.
Al-Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon: Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Blida municipality building two hours after occupying it, and the Lebanese army enters
Pakistani army: 6 soldiers and 7 militants killed in clash near the Afghan border
Israeli media: Sirens sound in the settlement of Kerem Shalom in the Gaza envelope area
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: We still believe in dialogue and prioritize diplomatic solutions with Pakistan; though we are ready for all possibilities.
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: Pakistan purposely obstructed negotiations in Turkey by making unrealistic demands.

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

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Hi-tech holocaust: Microsoft’s role in Gaza genocide

Microsoft's role in world’s first AI-driven genocide, in Gaza, exposed

  • Technology
  • 28 Oct 2025
What Marr evidently didn't seem to understand was that Hedges isn't saying that Western journalists manipulate the truth, but that they systematically amplify Israeli narratives they know are false. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Western journalists know they have a case to answer for their betrayal of Gaza, and it frightens them

  • Opinion
  • 24 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
ap
Politics

Hamas calls on int’l community to act against Israeli settlement plan

In this Nov. 9, 2017, file photo, U.S. President Donald Trump, right, chats with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (AP)
Economy

Ex-US diplomat says Trump-Xi deal 'tactical retreat', not lasting deal

An unarmed Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, during a test in 2002. (US Air Force)
Politics

JD Vance defends Trump's nuclear test plan as 'crucial for security'

Ultra-Orthodox Jews attend the "million man" protest against military conscription, in occupied al-Quds, October 30, 2025 (AFP)
Politics

Haredi mass rally in al-Quds exposes Zionist regime's growing crisis

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