Islamabad: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was found guilty of graft on Saturday and sentenced to three years in jail in a case related to the illegal sale of state gifts.
The case, known as the Toshakhana case, dates back to 2013, when Khan was a member of the National Assembly. Khan was gifted a luxury watch worth $162,000 by a representative of a foreign company. However, instead of depositing the watch in the Toshakhana, a government repository for gifts received by government officials, Khan sold it and pocketed the money.
Khan was accused of violating the Toshakhana Rules, which state that all gifts received by government officials must be deposited in the Toshakhana. He was also accused of concealing the sale of the watch from the authorities.
A trial court in Islamabad found Khan guilty of both charges and sentenced him to three years in jail. Khan was also disqualified from holding public office for five years.
Khan has denied any wrongdoing and has vowed to appeal the verdict. He has called the case a “political witch hunt” and has accused the current government of targeting him.
The Toshakhana case is the latest in a series of legal troubles for Khan. He is also facing charges of inciting violence and treason in connection with the 2022 Pakistani coup attempt.
Khan’s conviction is a major setback for him and his political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). It is also a blow to Khan’s supporters, who had hoped that he would be able to return to power in the next general election.
It remains to be seen whether Khan will be able to overturn his conviction on appeal. However, the verdict is a significant development in the ongoing political turmoil in Pakistan.thumb_upthumb_downtuneshareGoogle itmore_vertadd_circle