Pakistan’s former PM Khan and wife indicted in another graft case

A Pakistani court today indicted jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife in another graft case related to buying state gifts at a discounted price, according to court records.

Khan and Bushra Bibi pleaded not guilty in the case where they are accused by the anti-corruption watchdog of purchasing an expensive jewellery set that was gifted by a “foreign leader.” It includes a necklace, earrings, bracelets and rings purchased at well below market price.

The jewellery set was reportedly gifted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.

This is the third corruption case against the couple.

In April, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspended Khan’s three-year sentence in a similar case known as the “Toshakhana 1” case.

The latest indictment – “Toshakhana 2” – comes one week after Khan and other leaders from his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party were charged in a case related to an attack on the army’s headquarters in the northeastern garrison city of Rawalpindi during protests against the former premier’s brief arrest in a corruption case in May last year.

The IHC granted bail to Khan in the Toshakhana 2 case last month. He has remained in prison on multiple charges since his arrest on 5 August last year.

The court summoned the prosecution witnesses on 18 December 2023 to record their testimonies.

It was the seventh indictment against 72-year-old Khan, who is languishing in a jail in Rawalpindi.​​​​​​​

READ: Pakistan releases wife of former Premier Imran Khan on bail