Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and former first lady and his wife Bushra Bibi. (Photo by AFP)

A Pakistani court has sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison each over a corruption case, the latest legal blow for Khan, who has been behind bars since August 2023.

The special court of Pakistan`s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) ruled on Saturday that Khan and Bibi would serve 10 years` rigorous imprisonment under the penal code for criminal breach of trust, with an additional seven years under anti-corruption laws.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Khan`s new sentence will begin after he completes a separate 14-year sentence related to a land graft case.

The case centers on luxury watches gifted to Khan by Saudi Arabia`s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during official visits. Prosecutors said Khan and his wife subsequently purchased the gifts from the state at heavily discounted prices, in violation of Pakistan`s gift rules.

Tarrar said the purchase resulted in losses of several million rupees for the state.

Khan`s legal team called the verdict "a tool for selective prosecution" and announced plans to appeal at the Islamabad High Court. Khan`s spokesperson, Zulfi Bukhari, said the decision "ignores basic principles of justice."

The Toshakhana cases, as they are commonly known in Pakistan, refer to the state repository where gifts received by public officials are deposited. This case is separate from an earlier prosecution linked to Khan`s August 2023 arrest, in which previously issued sentences were later suspended on appeal.

Khan has told his legal team to appeal the decision at the Islamabad High Court, Salman Safdar, another one of his lawyers, told reporters outside the jail where the trials were being held.

Following the verdict, Khan`s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party announced plans for protests across Punjab on Sunday.

Khan`s party also says routine family and legal visits have been blocked in recent weeks despite court orders. Authorities deny any mistreatment and say he is receiving all facilities available to prisoners.

This is the latest major conviction for the former prime minister. Last January, he faced three other convictions for selling state gifts, leaking state secrets, and unlawful marriage.

These were later overturned or suspended. Despite this, Khan remains in jail with numerous cases still pending. He claims that the charges are part of a political witch-hunt.

Khan was removed from office in April 2022 through a parliamentary vote of no confidence. He has described the move as a conspiracy involving the military and the United States, both of which deny the accusations.