Imran Khan to serve 14 years prison sentence in Toshakhana case

Legendary Pakistan cricketer Imran Khan was sentenced to 14 years in prison in Toshakhana reference case on Wednesday, January 31. The 71-year-old was found guilty of not declaring his earnings from selling his gifts in the capacity of a Prime Minister for tax purposes. Imran’s wife Bushra Bibi has also been convicted and sentenced to a prison term of 14 years.

The former Pakistan captain has been also fined PKR 787 million (US$2.9m approx.). Furthermore, his ban from running for any political office for five years has been extended to ten. Earlier, Imran was also sentenced to ten years in jail on a separate charge in which he has been already serving a three-year term since August 2023.

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However, the previous sentence, which was also related to selling state gifts which the court termed as corrupt practices, was later suspended but Imran was not released from prison. Meanwhile, as per the standard practice in Pakistan, his 14-year sentence will run concurrently with his ten-year term.

Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) which he also led to power in Pakistan’s recent general elections expressed displeasure over the proceedings and stated that it “exposed a complete disregard of law by a trial court" calling it a sham trial which should be thrown into the dustbin.

Major crackdown against PTI and Imran Khan in Pakistan

Notably, the former Pakistan Prime Minister’s legal troubles have only increased since he was removed from his position after a no-confidence vote in April 2022 having over hundred cases to his name. However, it’s the first time that Imran’s wife has been sentenced to a jail term as she hasn’t been to prison before.

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Meanwhile, the jail sentence is a part of a state crackdown against Imran with general elections due in Pakistan in eight days. Furthermore, the PTI has also been banned from contesting elections altogether. There were no statements from Imran or his lawyers after the sentence but they are expected to appeal against it.