In a major development for former Pakistan PM Imran Khan and his wife, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has suspended the 14-year sentence of the former prime minister and his wife Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana case.

Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were found guilty in the Toshakhana case, a case related to mishandling and illegal means of acquiring gifts received by foreign dignitaries by Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi during their time in office. 

Khan was sentenced in the case days before the general elections, in what was being said as a hasty proceeding and a hasty decision to ensure he stayed behind bars.

The verdict was initially announced by the accountability court on Jan 31, which was later challenged in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), which now has suspended the sentence and has allowed Khan and his wife Bushra to be released on bail.

During the proceedings at the IHC, the court heard the appeal by Imran Khan’s lawyer against the Jan 31, 2024 verdict by the accountability court, in which Imran Khan and his wife were found guilty of misusing the state’s gift repository, sentencing Imran Khan and his wife to 14 years imprisonment while a fine of Rs 787m each on the accused was also slapped.

The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb took up the appeal against the sentence. 

Barrister Ali Zafar represented Khan while NAB prosecutor Amjad Pervaiz represented the National Accountability Board (NAB).

While speaking to reporters from the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Khan said that his struggle has been for decades only for the rule of law and accountability.

Khan said that it is the powerful establishment that has been calling the shots and trying to shut his voice down.

Khan said that the letter of the judges needs to be thoroughly investigated and all quarters who are made party be held accountable and answerable on the serious allegations.

(Source: IANS)

Edited for style 

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