Wife of former premier Khan to serve 14-year sentence at home

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
1 Feb 2024 08:32

The Khan residence, where Bushra Bibi will serve her prison time, was declared by the government as "sub-jail".

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan after appearing at the high court in Lahore on 17 March 2023. (AFP)

After being sentenced to 14 years alongside her husband former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, the popular premier's wife, will be serving her time at home after authorities officially designated their residence as a "sub-jail."

The couple received on Wednesday the prison sentence in the Toshakhana case - after allegedly failing to report the details of Toshakhana gifts in declarations of annual assets submitted to the Election Commission of Pakistan - while Khan and his Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi were sentenced to 10 years in jail in a separate case on Tuesday after being charged by the government of "disclosing" state secrets.

He is currently at Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, where his trial was held.

But the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) filed a new case against them, accusing them of "retaining a jewelry set received from the Saudi crown prince at an undervalued assessment."

During the hearing, the leader and his wife were fined Rs787 million ($2.8 million), and banned from holding any public office for 10 years. While Khan was present, Bibi did not appear in court.

Bibi was transported to her home late Wednesday on the outskirts of Islamabad from Adiala jail, the government said.

What happened?

Khan, who was removed through a no-confidence vote in April 2022, is currently serving a three-year prison term in an alleged corruption case.

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.

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.

Despite being deemed "ineligible" for the February election, Khan retains significant political influence due to his widespread support and anti-establishment stance.

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