Imran Khan, Wife Sentenced to 17 Years in Graft Case

A Pakistani court has sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to 17 years in prison after convicting them of illegally retaining and selling state gifts received during Khan’s time in office.

The couple pleaded not guilty to the charges, which stem from allegations that they sold gifts including jewelry received from the Saudi government — at prices far below their market value.

Prosecutors said the items were declared at just over $10,000, despite being worth about $285,521, enabling the couple to acquire them at a heavily discounted rate.

Under Pakistani law, public officials who wish to keep gifts from foreign dignitaries must purchase them at assessed market value and declare any profits made from their sale.

Khan’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, said the verdict would be appealed, insisting the ruling was flawed. Khan’s spokesperson, Zulfiquar Bukhari, described the conviction as unjust, arguing that criminal liability was imposed without proof of intent, benefit or loss, and based on what he called a retrospective interpretation of the rules.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party condemned the judgment, calling it “a black chapter in history.” The party said Khan was present in court when the verdict was delivered at Adiala prison in Rawalpindi but alleged that his family was barred from attending. PTI leaders also criticised the closed-door proceedings, questioning the fairness of the trial.

Senior PTI figure Omar Ayub said the ruling showed there was “no rule of law in Pakistan.”

The government rejected the criticism. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the court relied on solid evidence and insisted the conviction reflected a fair judicial process, accusing the former prime minister and his wife of corruption.

• Khan, 73, was removed from office through a no-confidence vote in April 2022 but remains a popular political figure.

His party performed strongly in the February 2024 parliamentary elections, though it failed to secure a majority and later alleged widespread rigging — claims denied by the government.

Since his ouster, Khan has repeatedly accused the United States and Pakistan’s military of conspiring against him, allegations rejected by Washington, the armed forces and his political rivals.

He has been jailed since 2023 on multiple corruption convictions and other charges, which he and his supporters say are intended to derail his political career.