Pakistani Court Sentences Imran Khan, Wife to 17 Years in Graft Case

A Pakistani court sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to 17 years in prison each on Saturday in a corruption case tied to the undervalued purchase of state gifts. The ruling, delivered by Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand during a hearing at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, marks another legal setback for Khan, who has been incarcerated since August 2023.

The case, known as Toshakhana 2, centers on a luxury Bulgari jewelry set gifted to Khan by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during an official visit in May 2021. Prosecutors from Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency alleged that the couple bought the items from the state repository for gifts at a heavily discounted price, violating rules that require public officials to deposit and properly value such presents. This transaction, authorities said, caused significant financial loss to the state, estimated in the millions of rupees.

Under the verdict, Khan and Bibi each received 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for criminal breach of trust under Sections 409 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code, along with seven years for misconduct under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The court also...