Islamabad/PTI : Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, was sentenced to three years in jail on Saturday in a corruption case related to the misuse of expensive government gifts. He was arrested following the verdict. Additionally, a fine of one lakh rupees was imposed on him by Justice Humayun Dilawar of the Islamabad District and Sessions Court. The court stated that if he fails to pay the fine, he will be kept in jail for another six months.

In his verdict, Justice Dilawar stated that Imran Khan has been proven guilty of making a false declaration of property in the Al-Kadir Trust corruption case against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman. He submitted fake details of the Toshakhana (gifts repository) in front of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and was found guilty of corrupt practices. He was sentenced to three years in jail under Section 174 of the Election Act.

Imran Khan arrested

Justice Dilawar also directed that a copy of the order should be sent to the Islamabad police chief for the implementation of the court’s orders. The Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) was instructed to ensure immediate action on the arrest warrant. After the court’s decision, the Islamabad police, with the cooperation of Punjab police, arrested Khan from his residence in Lahore. This information was confirmed by Khan’s family.

Punjab’s Information Minister, Aamir Mehmood, stated in a statement that the police are taking Khan to Islamabad.

The PTI legal team stated that Khan will be taken to Islamabad via a helicopter.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Attaullah Tarar, confirmed Khan’s arrest and told reporters that it will be decided later whether he will be kept in the Adiala jail in Rawalpindi or elsewhere.

During the hearing, which began at 8:30 am on Saturday, the judge expressed annoyance at Imran’s lawyers’ absence in the court several times.

According to media reports, Imran Khan’s counsel had given many excuses for not appearing in the court. Neither the defense nor the senior counsel appeared in the court. The PTI chief’s junior lawyer informed the court that Khan has to appear in another court.

In contrast to previous instances, Khan was arrested without any major resistance on Saturday.

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He was arrested in Islamabad on May 9, 2022, when he was disqualified by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for making false statements and giving incorrect information to hold public office.

The Toshakhana case was filed on the complaint of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), which had earlier declared Khan as ineligible to hold public office in the same case. The ECP had declared Khan ineligible on October 21, 2022, on charges of making false statements and giving incorrect information.

Toshakhana is a department under the Cabinet Division, where valuable gifts given by heads of other states and foreign dignitaries to rulers and government officials are kept. Khan had bought some gifts from Toshakhana, including a precious watch, and sold it to earn profit.

What is Toshakhana corruption case?

The Toshakhana corruption case involves former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, who was accused of corruption related to the misuse of expensive government gifts. In Pakistan, Toshakhana is a department under the Cabinet Division where valuable gifts given by heads of other states and foreign dignitaries to rulers and government officials are kept.

Imran Khan was alleged to have made a false declaration of property in front of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding the gifts he received from the Toshakhana. He was accused of presenting fake details of the gifts repository and engaging in corrupt practices to benefit from the gifts. The Election Commission of Pakistan had filed a complaint against him based on which he was declared ineligible to hold public office in the same case.

The case was a significant legal battle, and on Saturday, he was sentenced to three years in jail and fined one lakh rupees by the Islamabad District and Sessions Court for his involvement in the corruption case. If he fails to pay the fine, he will have to serve an additional six months in jail.

Imran Khan’s arrest in connection with the Toshakhana corruption case came after a series of legal proceedings and investigations, which resulted in the court finding him guilty of the charges brought against him.