Imran Khan calls for protest, to challenge Toshakhana-II verdict in court
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Islamabad: Jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has called for a nationwide protest and announced his intention to challenge the Toshakhana-II case verdict in the Islamabad High Court, local media reported on Sunday.
His statement on Saturday followed a Pakistani court sentencing him and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to 17 years in prison in connection with the Toshakhana-II case.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder, who currently does not have access to his social media accounts from prison, reportedly told his lawyer, “I have sent a message to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to prepare for the street movement. The entire nation will have to rise for its rights,” according to the Dawn.
Imran Khan said the court’s decision did not come as a surprise, but instructed his legal team to approach the high court to challenge the verdict. “Like the baseless decisions and sentences of the last three years, the Toshakhana-II decision is also nothing new to me. This decision was given in haste by the judge without any evidence and without fulfilling the legal requirements,” he claimed, adding that his legal team “was not even heard.”
He emphasised that it was unavoidable for the Insaf Lawyers Forum and the broader legal community to “come to the front foot” to uphold the supremacy of law and restore the Constitution.
In a statement, the PTI described the sentence as “blatantly unconstitutional, illegal, malicious and the worst form of political revenge and a textbook case of victimisation.”
The Toshakhana-II corruption case relates to the purchase of an expensive jewellery set gifted to Imran Khan by the Saudi Crown Prince during an official visit in May 2021, which he allegedly bought at a nominal price.
The verdict was delivered by Judge Shahrukh Arjumand of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) special court during proceedings at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, where Imran Khan is currently imprisoned.
Under the ruling, Imran Khan received a total of 17 years in prison — 10 years of rigorous imprisonment under several sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and seven years under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Bushra Bibi was also sentenced to 17 years under the same provisions.
Additionally, both were fined Rs 16.4 million, with non-payment leading to further imprisonment.
The court noted, “While passing sentences, the old age of Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi and the fact that Bushra Imran Khan is a female were considered. It is in consideration of both factors that a lenient view has been taken in awarding lesser punishment,” according to the Dawn report.
With IANS inputs
