Rawalpindi: PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 14 years imprisonment in Toshakhana case. Verdict comes day after PTI founder was sentenced to 10 years in cypher case by special court established under Official Secrets Act.

Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi surrendered before court soon after verdict was announced. NAB team, already at jail, where hearing was being conducted, took her into custody as soon as she reached.

Accountability court judge Muhammad Bashir presided over hearing at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan is incarcerated. Imran and Bushra were also barred from holding any public office for next 10 years and were fined combined amount of Rs 1,574 million.

Judge asked two to record their statements under Section 342 of Code of Criminal Procedure and closed right of cross-examination of prosecution witnesses.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan termed Toshakhana verdict as not only injustice, but also cruelty. He criticised NAB for withdrawing cases filed against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz while handing out punishments to PTI leaders. “Bushra neither had any connection to Toshakhana case nor were any of state gifts under her name,” said Gohar.

He maintained that everything was being done to pressurise Imran and urged PTI supporters and workers to remain peace and vote for party on February 8.

Following verdict, Imran’s sister Aleema Khan stated that PTI founder could have gotten into an agreement and eased his legal troubles, but instead, he is standing firm in his resolve to save nation. Reacting strongly to verdict, PTI termed it as “Complete destruction of every law” and claimed former premier and first lady have faced “Yet another kangaroo trial”.

PTI Secretary General Umar Ayub terming Toshakhana verdict “Mockery of law”, stated that accountability court judgment will be challenged in high court and vowed to continue legal battle against “Prevailing injustice”.

PTI lawyer Intazar Hussain Panjutha said former first lady gave herself up to authorities and added “Such people can never be broken”.

Taking jibe at Maryam Nawaz, Panjutha said that if it was her instead of Bushra, hundreds of excuses would have been made to avoid arrest. PTI counsel Ali Zafar deemed entire process of Toskhana proceedings ‘drama’, and stated that it cannot be called trial.

“Lawyers of Imran and Bushra were not given chance for cross-examination, neither accused were allowed to present any witnesses, nor statement of accused was recorded,” said Zafar.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 01 2024

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