Pakistan’s former Premier Khan, wife indicted in another graft case

KARACHI, Pakistan

A Pakistani court on Thursday indicted incarcerated 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 jewelry set that was gifted by a “foreign leader.” It includes a necklace, earrings, bracelets and rings purchased at a well below price.

The jewelry set was reportedly gifted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Commonly known as “Toshakhana 2” case, it 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 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 Aug. 5 last year.

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

It was the seventh indictment of Khan, 72, who is languishing in a jail in Rawalpindi.​​​​​​​