A Pakistani court has sentenced former prime minister and cricket icon Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to a combined 17 years in prison over a corruption case involving state gifts received during Khan’s time in office.
The ruling follows findings that the couple illegally purchased luxury items — including high-end watches and jewellery — at prices far below their true market value. The gifts were presented to Khan by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, during official diplomatic engagements.
Under Pakistani regulations, public office holders who wish to retain gifts from foreign dignitaries are required to buy them from the state at assessed market value and declare any income generated from their sale. Prosecutors told the court that Khan and his wife breached these rules by paying a heavily discounted amount for the items.
According to investigators, the couple declared the gifts’ value at just over $10,000, despite estimates placing their actual worth at approximately $285,500. This discrepancy allegedly allowed them to acquire the items at a fraction of their real price.
Although Khan and Bushra Bibi pleaded not guilty after being indicted last year, the court found them culpable. The Federal Investigation Agency said the former prime minister was sentenced to 10 years for criminal breach of trust under Pakistan’s penal code, with an additional seven years imposed under anti-corruption statutes.
The conviction adds to a growing list of legal troubles for Khan, who has been incarcerated since August 2023 and is already serving a 14-year sentence in a separate land corruption case. Authorities confirmed that the new jail term will take effect after the completion of his existing sentence.
Since his removal from office in 2022, Khan has faced numerous cases ranging from corruption to charges linked to state secrets and terrorism. He has consistently denied all allegations, describing them as politically driven efforts to silence him. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), maintains that the prosecutions are selective and aimed at sidelining opposition voices.
Speaking recently to Sky News, Khan’s sons expressed fears that they may never see their father again, alleging that he is being held under harsh conditions and subjected to psychological abuse.
A spokesperson for Khan, Zulfi Bukhari, criticised the verdict, saying it disregards fundamental principles of justice and weaponises the legal system for political ends. Khan has instructed his legal team to challenge the ruling at the Islamabad High Court.
Once celebrated nationwide for leading Pakistan to its historic 1992 Cricket World Cup victory, Khan remains one of the country’s most divisive political figures. His PTI party, founded in 1996, continues to remain out of power amid sustained political and legal pressure.
