A Pakistani accountability court on Saturday, December 20, 2025, handed down 17-year prison sentences to former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in a high-profile corruption case tied to the alleged misuse of state gifts. The verdict marks a further significant legal setback for the ousted leader, who is already serving time in other corruption matters and faces a complex web of criminal charges.
17-Year Term in Toshakhana Corruption Case
In a hearing held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, a special court convicted Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in what has been termed the Toshakhana-2 graft case. Prosecutors argued that the couple unlawfully retained and purchased luxury gifts — including items given by foreign dignitaries — at substantially below their assessed market value, breaching Pakistan’s anti-corruption laws and eroding public trust.
The court ruled that Khan would serve 17 years behind bars — split between charges of criminal breach of trust and corruption — and imposed an additional financial penalty exceeding 1.64 crore Pakistani rupees on both defendants. If the fines are not paid, the terms could be extended.
Political and Legal Fallout
The decision intensifies the legal challenges facing Imran Khan, who has been incarcerated since 2023 amid a series of convictions and ongoing trials across multiple cases. His political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), condemned the ruling as politically driven and pledged public protests in response to what it calls a selective use of judicial processes.
Khan’s defenders maintain that the Toshakhana policy was followed and argue that the latest verdict undermines due process. Legal representatives for the former premier have signaled plans to appeal the court’s decision in higher tribunals.
Wider Context of Imran Khan’s Trials
This sentencing adds to a growing number of legal entanglements for the former leader, who lost office in 2022 and has since faced allegations ranging from corruption and graft to breaches of state protocol. Supporters assert that these cases are intended to curtail Khan’s political influence amid rivalries with current government factions.
Despite his incarceration, Imran Khan continues to be a central and polarizing figure in Pakistan’s political landscape, with his sentencing likely to have lasting impact on the country’s governance and upcoming electoral dynamics.
