A detailed verdict has been issued in the Toshakhana II case against Imran Khan, founder of PTI, and his wife Bushra Bibi, sentencing both to lengthy prison terms after the court ruled that state gifts were illegally retained and never deposited in the Toshakhana.
Islamabad Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand issued a 59-page detailed verdict in the case. The court ordered that copies of the verdict be provided to both accused and directed that the case file be sent to the record room.
According to the verdict, the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi have each been sentenced to a total of 17 years in prison. Both received 10 years’ imprisonment under Section 409 (criminal breach of trust), were found guilty of criminal misconduct, and were fined Rs16.425 million each.
Additional punishment in case of non-payment
The court ruled that failure to pay the fine would result in an additional six months of imprisonment for each accused. It further ordered that the time already spent in jail during trial proceedings would be counted toward their sentence.
Also Read: Toshakhana 2 case: Imran Khan, Bushra sentenced to 17 years in prison each
The detailed verdict stated that the prosecution successfully proved its case through records and witness testimony. The court concluded that both accused were guilty of criminal breach of trust, having received gifts and then illegally retaining them.
Toshakhana gifts not deposited, court finds
The court ruled that the Toshakhana gifts were never deposited in the Toshakhana. Instead, according to official records, the gifts remained in the custody of the Prime Minister’s Office, which the court said was contrary to the law.
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The verdict highlighted that a Bvlgari jewellery set gifted to Bushra Bibi was not deposited in the Toshakhana. There was no evidence of its registration in the Toshakhana stock register, even though it appeared in the first entry register at serial number 86, confirming receipt of the gift.
Stock register and official records examined
During the trial, the Toshakhana stock register was presented before the court. The verdict noted that while the jewellery set was mentioned among received gifts, no corresponding entry existed in the stock register, proving it was never formally deposited.
According to Cabinet Division Deputy Secretary Muhammad Ahmed, the gifts were already in the custody of the Prime Minister’s Office.
Also Read: Toshakhana II case against Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi: Details here
Former military secretary Brig (retd) Muhammad Ahmed testified that when the gifts were produced, they were still with the accused and had not been deposited in the Toshakhana.
Court criticises Customs valuation process
The court observed that customs officials failed to conduct an independent valuation of the gifts. It said that since the matter involved the then prime minister, the officials appeared to have acted under influence, which weakened the valuation process.
In his defence, the PTI founder claimed the gifts were in the custody of the Prime Minister’s Office and were retained after completing legal formalities.
Also Read: PTI condemns Toshakhana II verdict; Gohar says ‘justice murdered'
Bushra Bibi maintained that the gifts were deposited and declared according to the rules, but the court held that neither accused provided any proof to support these claims.
Mandatory deposit under Toshakhana rules
The verdict stressed that depositing gifts in the Toshakhana is mandatory under the rules.
It also clarified that receiving gifts requires payment of the assessed Toshakhana value, and the prime minister is duty-bound to fully implement the law.
The court ruled that records and witness statements conclusively proved that the gifts were not deposited in the Toshakhana section.
In its closing remarks, the verdict emphasized that the prime minister of the country must always act with justice, honesty, and fairness, setting an example for public office holders.
