Pakistani former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have been sentenced to 17 years in prison after a Pakistani court found them guilty of illegally retaining and selling valuable state gifts. The sentence, handed down on Saturday, capped a years-long saga that saw the duo accused of selling various gifts including jewelry from the Saudi Arabian government at far below market value. They have denied all charges.

According to court documents, prosecutors claimed that the couple profited from the items after purchasing them at an artificially low price of 10,000, compared with their market rate of 285,521. The Pakistani law requires officials to purchase gifts from foreign dignitaries at market value and to declare profits from any sales.

"This is a clear case of corruption and abuse of power," said a spokesperson for the Anti-Corruption Establishment, who wished to remain anonymous. "The former Prime Minister and his wife have shown blatant disregard for the law and have undermined the trust of the people."

Imran Khan's supporters were quick to denounce the ruling, with many taking to social media to express their outrage. "This is a politically motivated decision and a clear attempt to undermine the former Prime Minister's reputation," said a spokesperson for Khan's party, who also wished to remain anonymous.

The case against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi dates back to 2019, when they were first accused of selling state gifts without proper authorization. The investigation was launched after a complaint was filed by a government official who claimed that the couple had sold several gifts, including jewelry and other items, at a fraction of their market value.

The sentencing of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi has sparked widespread debate in Pakistan, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability in government. The case has also raised questions about the country's anti-corruption laws and the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms.

The current status of the case is that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi have been sentenced to 17 years in prison, with the option to appeal the decision. The next development in the case is expected to be the filing of an appeal by the couple's lawyers, which could potentially lead to a lengthy and complex judicial process.