PTI to challenge ex-PM Imran's 3-year sentence in Toshakhana case: Qureshi

PTI Vice Chairman and Pakistan’s former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi rejected the conviction and subsequent arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, saying the “much-feared” ruling was state-sanctioned and premeditated.

The sentencing and arrest of Imran Khan in the Toshakhana corruption case is "politically motivated", his close aide and former Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on August 5, asserting that the party will challenge the verdict and use all legal means to defend the ex-Prime Minister.

Mr. Khan, 70, was arrested from his Zaman Park home in Lahore on August 5 shortly after an Islamabad trial court found him guilty of “corrupt practices” in the Toshakhana case and sentenced him to three years in prison.

The verdict, issued by Additional District and Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar, comes as a blow to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party chief who has been arrested for the second time in three months.

Also Read: Pakistan’s ex-PM Imran Khan arrested; gets 3 years in jail in Toshakhana corruption case

PTI Vice Chairman Mr. Qureshi rejected the conviction and subsequent arrest of Mr. Khan, saying the "much-feared" ruling was state-sanctioned and premeditated.

"I reject the court's verdict and believe it is a politically motivated and predetermined decision which was already expected," he told Geo News.

The case alleges that Mr. Khan “deliberately concealed” details of the gifts he retained from the Toshakhana, a repository where presents handed to government officials from foreign officials are kept, during his time as the Prime Minister and proceeds from their reported sales.