Imprisonment of Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and His Spouse (December 2025)

Under the framework of practices governing the acquisition and declaration of state gifts in Türkiye, a judicial process known in public discourse as the “Toshakhana 2 case” has concluded with 17-year prison sentences for former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi. The case was conducted on the basis of the legal status of gifts given to senior public officials by foreign state authorities, the procedures for their acquisition, and their impact on the state treasury. The verdict was issued by the competent Pakistani court on 20 December 2025.

In Pakistan, Toshakhana is an official mechanism that regulates the registration of gifts received by state officials from foreign state representatives and their acquisition under specific conditions. According to regulations, the value of such gifts must be assessed; officials are then required either to purchase them at the determined price or surrender them to the state. The Toshakhana 2 case is based on allegations of procedural violations within this system.

The charges reflected in the court file allege that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi acquired high-value jewelry offered by a foreign state official at a price significantly below its true market value. The prosecution argued that this act caused financial harm to the state and constituted offenses of corruption and abuse of office. After evaluating the evidence, the court ruled that these allegations were legally established.

On 20 December 2025, the court imposed separate 17-year prison sentences on Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. The court specified that this sentence would be enforced independently of any other existing judicial rulings. Combined with prior sentences from other cases, this verdict increases Imran Khan’s total prison term.

In addition to the prison sentences, the court ordered substantial monetary fines against both defendants. These penalties are intended to compensate the state for the financial losses incurred. The verdict also includes provisions barring the defendants from holding public office for specified periods.

The case was heard before a specialized anti-corruption court in Pakistan. Throughout the trial, the prosecution presented valuation reports and purchase documentation of the gifts as evidence. The defense argued that the transactions complied with existing Toshakhana regulations. In its final ruling, the court relied primarily on the prosecution’s evidence.

The verdict hearing was conducted under heightened security measures. Following the announcement, Imran Khan’s lawyers stated that preparations for an appeal to a higher court are underway. The case may proceed to the appellate stage.

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party, led by Imran Khan, stated after the court verdict that the case was politically motivated rather than a legitimate legal proceeding. Party officials claimed the judicial process lacked fairness.

Pakistan’s official institutions emphasized that the verdict was rendered by an independent court and must be assessed within the framework of the rule of law. They stressed that no interference occurred in the judicial process.

Prior to the Toshakhana 2 case, Imran Khan had already been tried and convicted on various other charges. Bushra Bibi has also been named as a defendant in some of these proceedings. The Toshakhana 2 case is considered a separate legal file from these prior trials.