Toshakhana Reference Verdict: Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi sentenced to 14 years

Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf (PTI) Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 14 years in prison with rigorous punishment in the Toshakhana reference by the accountability court on Wednesday.

Judge Muhammad Bashir announced the verdict, also disqualifying the former premier Imran Khan for 10 years while handing over a fine of Rs1.573 billion — 787 million each — to the couple.

At the previous hearing, the court recorded Bushra Bibi’s statement under Section 342.

Imran Khan told the court that his wife had nothing to do with the case and was being humiliated by being forcibly dragged into it.

During today’s hearing the court asked Imran Khan to submit his statement under Section 342. , to which the PTI founder replied “My statement is in the [prison] room.”

“I have been deceived. I was only called for marking attendance,” Imran Khan said before the court.

The former PM was then told to submit his statement immediately and “not waste the court’s time”.

“Why are you in a hurry? Even yesterday, the conviction was announced in haste,” Imran Khan said while referring to the cipher case verdict.

“My lawyers are not here yet. I will submit the statement after showing it to them when they come,” Imran said, adding that he had appeared before the court only to mark his attendance.

He then exited the courtroom, after which his and Bushra Bibi’s sentence was announced in their absence.