Pakistan: Imran Khan and Wife Bushra Bibi Indicted in New Corruption Case

"Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi face fresh corruption charges over alleged misappropriation of a Bulgari jewelry set, marking the seventh indictment against the former PM."

Islamabad [Pakistan], December 13: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were indicted on Thursday in a new corruption case involving the purchase of an expensive Bulgari jewelry set at a heavily discounted price. This marks the third graft reference against the couple, according to reports by Dawn.

The indictment comes amid a series of legal troubles for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder, who, along with other party leaders, was recently charged over the May 9 attack on the military’s General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. Despite being granted bail by the Islamabad High Court last month in this case, Khan remains in custody due to multiple other charges stemming from his arrest on August 5, 2023.

Special Court Central-I Judge Shahrukh Arjumand presided over Thursday’s proceedings at Adiala Jail, where Khan was presented, while Bushra Bibi, who is out on bail, appeared with her legal counsel. Both have denied the corruption allegations, and the court has summoned prosecution witnesses to testify on December 18.

This indictment adds to a growing list of legal challenges for Imran Khan. It marks his seventh overall, following cases including two Toshakhana references, the PKR 190 million corruption case, and the GHQ attack trial. Although sentences in the Toshakhana cases were previously suspended, and Khan was acquitted in the cipher and Iddat cases, he continues to face significant legal hurdles.

In this latest case, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) alleges that Khan and Bushra Bibi retained a Bulgari jewelry set gifted by a foreign dignitary—including a necklace, earrings, bracelets, and rings—at a reduced price, causing a substantial loss to the national exchequer. The trial for the PKR 190 million corruption case, in which both have testified before an accountability court, is nearing its conclusion.