ISLAMABAD — On Thursday, a Pakistani court formally charged former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his spouse, Bushra Bibi, in one of the several corruption cases they are currently facing, according to officials and representatives from Khan’s political party.

During the court session, held in the military city of Rawalpindi, both Khan and Bibi entered pleas of not guilty when the judge presented the allegations against them. They are accused of mismanaging state gifts, which included various items of jewelry gifted to them during Khan’s time as Prime Minister, claiming that they sold these items at prices lower than the market value.

According to Pakistani law, politicians and government officials are permitted to retain gifts received from foreign dignitaries while in office. However, they are required to pay the gifts’ market value and disclose any income generated from their sale.

Following the indictment, the court has postponed the hearing for this case until December 18.

This development marks the second corruption case brought against the couple. Khan and his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), argue that all charges against them are purely politically motivated and aim to ensure that Khan remains incarcerated. He has spent over a year in prison following his conviction in a separate corruption case earlier in 2023.

Since being removed from office through a no-confidence vote in 2022, Khan has faced nearly 200 criminal allegations.