Imran Khan and Wife Bushra Bibi Sentenced to 17 Years in Major Corruption Verdict
Islamabad, Pakistan — A special court in Pakistan on 20 December 2025 sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to 17 years in prison each after convicting them in a high-profile corruption case tied to the Toshakhana-II scandal. This marks one of the most significant legal setbacks yet for the jailed opposition leader and founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
pakistantoday.com.pk
The verdict was delivered by Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand during proceedings held within Rawalpindi’s high-security Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan is already serving time on multiple convictions.
pakistantoday.com.pk
Details of the Toshakhana-II Conviction
The Toshakhana-II case centred on allegations that Khan and Bushra Bibi purchased a luxury Bulgari jewellery set, gifted to Khan in May 2021 by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, at a deeply undervalued price — a transaction that prosecutors argued violated Pakistan’s anti-corruption and public trust laws.
pakistantoday.com.pk
Under the judgment:
Each was given 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment under Section 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code for criminal breach of trust.
An additional seven-year sentence was imposed under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Both were also fined Rs16.4 million (approximately €70,000+) — with an extra six months’ imprisonment for failure to pay the fine.
english.aaj.tv
The court indicated that it took into consideration Khan’s age (73) and Bushra Bibi’s gender when determining the length of the sentence and extended the benefit of Section 382-B of the Criminal Procedure Code, which counts previous detention time against a sentence.
geo.tv
Legal and Political Context
Under Pakistani law, government officials are required to declare, purchase at market value, and account for gifts received from foreign dignitaries. Prosecutors said Khan and Bushra sold or retained the luxury items without properly valuing them, costing the state significant sums.
thenationalnews.com
This conviction adds to a series of legal reversals for Imran Khan, who was ousted from office in April 2022 and has since been convicted in multiple cases — including a separate land graft case carrying a 14-year sentence. Combined, the cumulative sentences could exceed 30 years behind bars.
Reuters
Reaction: Government, PTI, and Supporters
The government and prosecution portrayed the conviction as a lawful application of Pakistani anti-corruption statutes, asserting that evidence demonstrated clear wrongdoing. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the court’s findings were grounded in fact and aligned with legal principles.
thenationalnews.com
PTI officials and Khan’s allies condemned the ruling as politically motivated, asserting the trial lacked transparency and due process. Khan’s spokesperson described the verdict as ignoring basic legal principles and challenged the proceedings as prejudicial. PTI leaders labelled the judgment a “sham” and criticised the judiciary for allegedly acting as an instrument of political retribution.
Al Jazeera
Implications for Pakistani Politics
Imran Khan remains a polarising figure in Pakistan’s political landscape — widely popular with tens of millions of supporters yet fiercely opposed by establishment parties and state institutions. His continued incarceration and multiple convictions have sparked protests and deepened political divisions across the country.
Al Jazeera
The sentencing of both Khan and Bushra could significantly impact PTI’s organisational strength and strategy, particularly as the party navigates upcoming electoral cycles and internal leadership challenges.
Reuters
What’s Next
Khan’s legal team has indicated plans to appeal the verdict to higher courts, arguing the sentence was unjust and procedurally flawed. It remains unclear how litigation will unfold, but appeals could drag on for months or years amid Pakistan’s complex judicial environment.
thenationalnews.com
Meanwhile, political tensions continue to simmer, with supporters of Imran Khan vowing further protests and heightened political mobilisation in response to the decision.
Reuters
Aaron Joyce, Newswire, L.T.T Media; Newsdesk; 20 December 2025
