Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan sentenced to 3 years in Toshakhana corruption case

Pakistani court sentences ex-PM Imran Khan to 3 years jail in Toshakhana corruption case. Islamabad High Court set aside trial court verdict, instructed local court to decide again

In a jolt to former Prime Minister Imran Khan, a Pakistani trial court has sentenced him to three years in jail in the Toshakhana corruption case.

Additional Judge Humayun Dilawar of the Islamabad-based district and sessions judge also imposed PKR 100,000 fine on Mr. Khan, adding that he would be kept in jail for another six months if failed to pay the fine.

The verdict comes after the Islamabad High Court set aside a trial court verdict and instructed the local court to decide the matter of maintainability again after a fresh hearing of the case.. The trial court in Islamabad resumed hearing the Toshakhana reference filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman on August 4.

The Toshakhana issue over the sale of state gifts received by the former cricketer-turned-politician became a major issue in national politics after the ECP disqualified Khan on October 21, 2022, for making “false statements and incorrect declaration”.

The Toshakhana is a department under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division and stores precious gifts given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats, and officials by heads of other governments and states and foreign dignitaries.

The Toshakhana issue over the sale of state gifts received by the former cricketer-turned-politician became a major issue in national politics after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) disqualified Mr. Khan for making “false statements and incorrect declaration”.

(with inputs from PTI)