"Court convicted Bushra Bibi just to bring Khan Sahab under pressure," says Barrister Gohar

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his spouse, Bushra Bibi, were awarded a life sentence by an accountability court in the Toshakhana case on Wednesday.

Accountability Court Judge Mohammad Bashir also disqualified the former prime minister for 10 years and imposed a fine of Rs1.573 billion to the couple.

Following the verdict, PTI leader Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said that Buhsra Bibi had “no relation” to the graft case nor was there any case gift registered in her name.

Talking to a private news channel, he said: "Court convicted Bushra Bibi only to bring Khan Sahab under pressure."

He urged PTI workers and supporters to remain calm and peaceful and focus on the upcoming polls scheduled for February 8.

Gohar further termed the convictions as "injustice and cruelty" to the leader of the nation. 

Without naming any party PTI lawyer criticised state departments, saying "NAB was withdrawing cases filed against a certain party but at the same time was handing over severe punishments just to make one leader happy”.

“We were not given time, were not given permission for cross-examination, despite there being a lawyer present,” he added.

On the other hand, Imran Khan's lawyer, Khalid Yousaf Chaudry, claimed that the former prime minister's counsels were not allowed to enter Adiala jail to represent him in the Toshakhana case.

In a video message, Chaudry claimed that "the verdict was announced in haste without following due process."

"When we reached Adaiala jail, police didn't allow us to enter then after half an hour, the judge announced the verdict in the absence of Khan and Bushra Bibi's lawyer," Chaudry said.

The hearing of the Toshakhana case was held at Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, where the former prime minister is incarcerated.

At the outset of the hearing, the court asked Imran about his statement in the state gifts graft case, to which the former PM replied: "I didn't carry my statement with me, it's in the [prison] room. I was only called for marking attendance.”

The judge then directed Khan to submit his statement immediately and “not waste the court’s time”.

“Why are you in a hurry? Even yesterday, the court announced the verdict in haste,” Imran Khan questioned Judge Mohammad Bashir.

“My lawyers are not here yet. I will submit the statement after consulting with them,” the ex-premier said.

Imran Khan then left the room, after which the court jailed PTI founder and his wife for 14 years.

Last year in August, Imran Khan faced a three-year imprisonment sentence from an Islamabad trial court in the Toshakhana case. 

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) initiated the case, alleging that the PTI leader had omitted details of state gifts from his tax declarations.

Later, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) overturned the verdict and ordered his release. However, his release was delayed due to his involvement in ongoing trials related to cipher and other cases.

On Dec 19, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) lodged a new reference against Imran and his wife in an accountability court. 

This reference concerned their possession of a jewelry set received from the Saudi crown prince, with an alleged undervaluation in the assessment.

Imran Khan is accused of acquiring valuable gifts from foreign countries at a reduced price during his tenure as Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022. He is alleged to have sold these gifts for a total of $635,000.