They said the actual market value was £213,000.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have received 17-year prison sentences after being convicted of buying state gifts at heavily discounted prices.
The case centres on luxury watches and jewellery gifted to Khan during official visits while he was Prime Minister. The items were presented by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Under Pakistani law, officials who wish to keep gifts from foreign dignitaries must purchase them from the state at full market value. Any proceeds from later sales must also be declared.
Prosecutors said Khan and Bibi violated these rules by paying a knock-down price. They argued the couple deliberately undervalued the gifts to reduce the amount owed.
According to prosecutors, the gifts were declared at just over £7,500. They said the actual market value was £213,000.
This discrepancy allegedly allowed the couple to buy the items at a reduced price. Prosecutors described the move as a clear breach of trust and anti-corruption laws.
The court handed Khan and his wife 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment under Pakistan’s penal code for criminal breach of trust. A further seven years were imposed under anti-corruption legislation.
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency confirmed the sentences, saying the convictions followed a detailed investigation into the handling of the gifts.
Khan and Bibi pleaded not guilty when they were indicted last year. Both have consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The latest conviction adds to Khan’s growing legal troubles. He has been in jail since August 2023 and is already serving a 14-year sentence in a separate corruption case.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the new 17-year term would begin after Khan serves his existing sentence.
Imran Khan faces dozens of cases filed since he was ousted from office in 2022. The charges range from corruption and state secrets violations to anti-terrorism offences.
He has denied wrongdoing in all cases.
His party has repeatedly claimed the prosecutions are politically motivated and aimed at sidelining him from public life.
In a recent interview with Sky News’ The World with Yalda Hakim, Khan’s sons said they feared they might never see him again.
They also claimed Khan was being “psychologically tortured” in a “death cell”. Authorities have previously rejected allegations of mistreatment.
Zulfi Bukhari, a spokesperson for Khan, said the ruling “ignores basic principles of justice” and turns the process into “a tool for selective prosecution.”
Khan has reportedly instructed his legal team to challenge the decision. An appeal is expected to be filed at the Islamabad High Court.
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