Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi appeared at a registrar office in the High Court in Lahore on July 17, 2023. — AFP file
A Pakistani court has charged imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife with new allegations of illegally selling state gifts, according to local broadcaster Geo. This marks the latest in a series of legal cases against the 72-year-old former cricket star, who has been in custody since late last year.
Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have already been granted bail in this case, which is part of a larger set of charges related to the state treasury, known as 'Toshakhana'. These charges center on claims that Khan and his wife unlawfully acquired and sold gifts worth over 140 million rupees ($501,000) that were in state possession. The gifts were received during his tenure as prime minister from 2018 to 2022. Both have denied any wrongdoing.
Earlier this year, just before a national election, Khan and Bibi were each sentenced to 14 years in prison on these charges, following a three-year sentence Khan received in late 2023 in a related case. However, their sentences have been suspended pending appeals at the High Court.
The gifts in question included diamond jewelry and seven watches, six of which were Rolexes, with the most expensive valued at 85 million rupees ($305,000).
In addition, Khan was recently charged with inciting attacks against the military, a case arising from violent anti-government protests led by his party last year. Bibi also organized a large protest march in Islamabad on November 25, intensifying the conflict with the government and its military supporters.
Khan has been embroiled in legal battles since he was removed from power in 2022.
Source link: https://www.khaleejtimes.com
