ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister and PTI founder, along with his wife Bushra Bibi, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison each in the Toshakhana-II case.
The special Central Judge Arjumand Shah announced the verdict at Adiala Jail, although none of the lawyers representing the couple were present in court.
Under Sections 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), PTI founder and Bushra Bibi were handed seven-year sentences each, contributing to the overall 17-year imprisonment. Additionally, the court imposed a fine of PKR 10 million on both.
Case Background
The Toshakhana-II case dates back to July 13, 2024, when the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested PTI founder and Bushra Bibi at Adiala Jail.
The couple remained in NAB custody for 37 days before the bureau filed a reference in the Accountability Court on August 20, 2024.
Following the Supreme Court’s reinstatement of NAB amendments, the case was transferred to the FIA Anti-Corruption Court on September 9, 2024.
The trial began on September 16, 2024, before Special Judge Central Shah Rukh Arjumand at Adiala Jail.
During the trial, a total of 21 witnesses were examined, including former Military Secretary Brigadier (R) Muhammad Ahmad, private appraiser Sohail Abbasi, and former prime minister’s former Principal Secretary Inaamullah. Four prosecution witnesses were later withdrawn by the FIA. The trial continued for nearly a year with over 80 hearings held at Adiala Jail.
Allegations against the couple
PTI founder and Bushra Bibi are accused of receiving a Bulgari jewelry set from the Saudi Crown Prince in 2021, valued at over PKR 67.15 million.
According to FIA records, the couple undervalued the jewelry through a private appraiser, recording its price at only PKR 5.9 million.
The gift, which included a necklace, bracelet, ring, and earrings, was not deposited in Toshakhana, nor was its proper value recorded. FIA investigations revealed undue influence was used to undervalue the set.
The government was represented by Federal Prosecutors Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi, Barrister Umair Majeed Malik, Bilal Butt, and Shahvez Gilani, while the defense team included Arshad Tabrez, Quthain Faisal Mufti, and Barrister Salman Safdar.
