ISLAMABAD:
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have challenged their convictions in the Toshakhana-II case before the Islamabad High Court.
Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Pakistani lawyer Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry filed appeals on its behalf on Monday.
The separate appeals were filed on Friday by advocate Salman Safdar and were assigned diary numbers 24560 and 24561.
The petitions argue that the trial was politically motivated and legally flawed.
Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were sentenced on December 20, 2025 to 17 years in prison. They were convicted under section 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code and section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs 164.25 million on each of them.
The appeals challenge the verdict on several grounds, including double jeopardy, illegal bifurcation of a single crime, and procedural violations.
Read: Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi sentenced to 17 years in Toshakhana 2.0
They claim that the sentences are “unfair, unjust and appear to be a direct manifestation of political victimization.”
The petitions claim that the case was orchestrated by Imran Khan’s political adversaries.
The appeals also question the trial court’s reliance on the testimony of Syed Inamullah Shah and Sohaib Abbasi. Shah is described as a dismissed employee, while Abbasi is accused of having been appointed approver without meeting legal requirements.
The defense questions Shah’s credibility, citing his dismissal for allegedly collecting double salaries and his alleged political ties to Imran Khan’s opponents.
The petitions argue that Imran Khan does not qualify as a “public servant” under Section 21 of the Pakistan Penal Code. They cite a 2024 Supreme Court ruling that held that elected representatives do not fall within the definition of public servants in this context.
Read more: Toshakhana verdict a ‘mockery of the law’
The appeals also challenge Khan and Bushra Bibi being convicted under both the PPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act. They argue that this amounts to multiple punishments for the same crime, which is prohibited by law.
According to the appeals, the Bulgari jewelry at the center of the case was preserved in accordance with Toshakhana standards. They say 50% of the assessed value was paid above the exemption limit of Rs 30,000, as required.
The defense maintains that no criminal offense was committed and that all procedures were followed legally.
The PTI lawyer has asked the Islamabad High Court to declare the Toshakhana-II verdict void. The appeals have also requested that the case be scheduled for hearing as soon as possible.
