An Islamabad trial court on Saturday declared former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan guilty of “corrupt practices” in the Toshakhana case and disqualified him from politics for five years. Soon-after, Pakistan police have arrested the former premier from his Zaman Park residence in Lahore.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief was sentenced to three years in prison and was slapped with a fine of one lakh Pakistani rupees (approx. Rs 29,390). He was shifted to Kot Lakhpat Jail after his arrest, according to a tweet by his party’s Punjab chapter.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar stated “Imran Khan deliberately submitted fake details [of Toshakhana gifts] to the ECP and is found guilty of corrupt practices,” he stated while issuing the verdict. The verdict came a day after the Islamabad High Court set aside a session court’s verdict to uphold the maintainability of the Toshakhana case for criminal proceedings against Khan.
The Toshakhana issue over the sale of state gifts received by the former cricketer-turned-politician became a major issue in Pakistani politics after the country’s election panel disqualified him on October 21, 2022, for making false statements and incorrect declaration.
The case, filed by ruling party lawmakers, is based on a criminal complaint filed by the election watchdog. The Toshakhana is a department under the Cabinet Division that stores gifts given to rulers and government officials by heads of other governments and foreign dignitaries.
Khan is accused of misusing his 2018-2022 stint as the country’s Prime Minister to buy and sell gifts in state possession that were received during visits abroad. Khan is facing more than 140 cases across the country and faces charges like terrorism, violence, blasphemy, corruption and murder.
He was ousted from power in April last year after losing a no-confidence vote, which he alleged was part of a US-led conspiracy targeting him because of his independent foreign policy decisions on Russia, China and Afghanistan. Khan’s political party PTI said it has filed an appeal in the country’s Supreme Court.
