ISLAMABAD: The federal government has issued a strong response following the sentencing of former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and former first lady Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana-II case.
The court awarded both individuals prison sentences, prompting reactions from senior government officials at the federal and provincial levels. In this regard, Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar said the court’s decision was based on justice and due process.
He maintained that the prosecution had successfully proven its case and that state gifts received from the Toshakhana were sold for personal profit. He alleged that during the PTI government, corruption was widespread and that official authority was misused for personal gain.
The gifts deposited in the Toshakhana were deliberately undervalued through fraudulent means, causing vital financial losses to the state. He claimed that Bushra Bibi retained certain gifts and benefited financially, resulting in losses of several crore rupees to the national exchequer.
He added that the sentence in the Toshakhana-II case would commence after the completion of Imran Khan’s sentence in the £190 million reference.
Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari described the court’s decision as “eye-opening.” She said politics should not be pursued for the accumulation of wealth, particularly luxury items such as diamonds.
She alleged that Toshakhana rules were amended during the PTI tenure to facilitate personal benefit and claimed that Imran Khan engaged in the trade of precious items while in office.
Government representatives focused on that the verdict reflected accountability and the rule of law, while reassertingthat corruption cases should be decided strictly on merit and evidence.
