Former Pakistani Prime Minister Sentenced to 17 Years for Selling State Gifts
Peshawar, Pakistan – Justice officials at a military court in Rawalpindi imposed a 17‑year prison term on former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi after a conviction on charges that they kept and sold diplomatic gifts at a price far below market value. The decision was announced last Saturday at the Adiala jail in Rawalpindi.
Khan and his wife were previously charged with misusing gifts that were handed to them by foreign dignitaries, including jewellery supplied by the Saudi Arabian government.
Prosecutors argued that the couple had declared the items’ worth at just over $10,000, whereas independent appraisals placed their value at about $285,500. By claiming a lower value, they purchased the items at a discount and subsequently sold them for a profit.
“Criminal liability was imposed without proof of intent, gain, or loss, relying instead on a retrospective reinterpretation of rules,” said Khan’s spokesperson Zulfiquar Bukhari.
“The court ruling casts serious doubts on the fairness of the process and turns justice into a tool for selective prosecution.”
Khan’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, announced that the former premiership would appeal at the next stage of the legal process.
He said the verdict had been reached in a “closed‑door jail trial,” calling it “neither free nor fair” and likening it to a “military trial.”
The ruling was issued by a bench that cited Pakistani law mandating that public officials declare the full market value of gifts and report any proceeds from their sale.
Critics argue that the court’s decision could be politically motivated, given Khan’s high profile and the ongoing tension between his party, Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf (PTI), and the current government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
In a statement on its X account, PTI said Khan’s family was barred from witnessing the trial’s ruling. Senior PTI member Omar Ayub added on X that “there is no rule of law in Pakistan.”
PTI continues to claim that the February 2024 parliamentary elections were marred by rigging, a verdict the ruling administration denies.
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar defended the verdict, saying the court’s decision was based on solid evidence and described the outcome as a “fair decision.” He said that the couple’s actions amounted to corruption.
Khan was ousted from office in a no‑confidence vote in April 2022 and has since been incarcerated on a series of corruption‑related charges, most of which his supporters argue are politically motivated. Despite his imprisonment, he remains a popular figure in Pakistan and retains a significant following.
The 17‑year sentence marks a major blow to PTI, which performed strongly in last year’s election but failed to secure a majority. The trial’s outcome may influence the party’s strategy as it prepares for future parliamentary contests.
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