What is Pak's Toshakhana Scandal That Led to 14-Year Jail Term for Ex-PM Imran Khan?
Imran Khan, Wife Jailed For Corruption Case
An Islamabad district court sentenced former Pakistan PM Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to rigorous imprisonment of 14 years in the Toshakhana case.
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Who Filed Case Against Imran Khan & Why?
The case was filed in 2014 by Akbar S. Babar, a founding member of Khans PTI party. It accused Khan and other leaders of illegally accepting funds from foreign countries and companies.
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Found Guilty By Election Commission
The Election Commission of Pakistan last year found the PTI leaders guilty of concealment of facts and lack of transparency regarding funds from the UAE, UK, Australia, and other countries.
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Accused of Rs 800 million illegal gifts
The funds, amounting to millions of dollars, were not declared and the origin was kept secret, violating Pakistani laws that bar political parties from taking money from foreign nationals and companies.
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Indicted for making False Declarations
Khan and Bibi were indicted by the ECP for making false declarations and submissions before the commission. The court ruled that this amounted to corrupt practices under the law.
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PM Shahbaz Responsible?
Khan has denied any wrongdoing and alleged the case was politically motivated. He accused the current government of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif of pursuing political vendetta through the NAB court.
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Supreme Court Role
The case could see Khan losing his seat in parliament if the Supreme Court upholds the verdict. He may also be barred from standing in elections for five years.
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Protest in Pakistan
Imran Khan remains hugely popular in Pakistan and his supporters protested violently against the judgment. He has vowed to challenge the conviction legally.
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Political Turmoil
The case is seen as part of the ongoing political turmoil in Pakistan since Khans ouster in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence in April 2022.
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What Analysts say?
Analysts say while the charges and sentence seem harsh, the case has enabled Khan to portray himself as a victim of political persecution and boost his appeal as an anti-establishment figure.
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