What is Toshakhana case, which got Imran Khan convicted & awarded 3 year jail term?

New Delhi: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was on Saturday sentenced to three-year jail term by an Islamabad court, over his conviction for alleged scandal in the infamous Toshakhana case.

Soon after the court pronounced 3-years imprisonment, the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) chairman was arrested by police, Geo TV reported.

He has also been banned from participating in politics for 5 years, reports said.

Imran Khan’s conviction & sentencing pertains to Toshakhana case of 2022, which created political storm in the country and saw rival parties tearing into the then Prime Minister for improper acquisition of state gifts.

While awarding three-year jail term to Imran, the Additional District Judge Humanyun Dilawar also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh. If he fails to pay the fine, six months of additional imprisonment would be imposed on the guilty ex-PM.

Toshakhana case gained prominence in Pakistan politics in 2022 and marked the ‘sudden downfall of Imran’ as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECB) disqualification him. The ECB disqualified him over ‘incorrect statements & false declarations’ and soon after, a case was filed against Imran in court.

The complaint against him stated that the Pakistan Prime Minister ‘appropriated’ state gifts, received during foreign visits and sold them for raising money. Toshakhana is a department in Pakistan’s cabinet, which looks after gifts received by Pakistan rulers & top diplomats, given by foreign governments.

The complaint against Imran in Toshakhana case marked his ouster from power, as he lost a no-confidence vote in his leadership in April, 2022. Since then, a total of 76 cases have been filed against him.

In May, Imran was arrested by Pakistan’s anti-corruption agency in a different corruption case. He was however released on bail, days later after he claimed innocence in the case.