Rawalpindi (Web Desk): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former premier Imran Khan, and his wife Bushra Bibi, will be indicted in new Toshakhana case on November 18, according to a decision by a special court of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
The court also rejected the acquittal applications submitted by the former prime minister and his wife in this case.
On November 8, the court reserved its ruling on the acquittal pleas of Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi.
This new case revolves around the alleged illegal sale of a jewelry set that was gifted to Bushra Bibi by the Saudi crown prince during Imran Khan’s tenure as prime minister from 2018 to 2022.
However, this case should not be confused with the earlier Toshakhana case, in which both Khan and Bushra Bibi were convicted in January and sentenced to 14 years in prison, along with a hefty fine of Rs1.57 billion (Rs787 million each). The couple’s sentence in the previous case was suspended by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in April.
The announcement of the indictment in the fresh case comes on the heels of Bushra Bibi’s release from Adiala Jail last month. She had been incarcerated for nearly a month following her arrest in relation to the Toshakhana case, but was granted bail by the IHC after posting surety bonds of Rs1 million.
The release sparked speculation of a possible deal, though PTI’s opposition leader Omar Ayub categorically denied the rumors, saying that Bushra Bibi’s release was not part of any deal.
It is pertinent to mention that both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi had been arrested shortly after their acquittal in the “Iddat” case—also known as the un-Islamic nikah case—by Islamabad's district and sessions court. Following their acquittal, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) filed a fresh reference against them, accusing the couple of causing financial damage to the national exchequer.
In the NAB’s reference, it was revealed that the deputy military secretary had instructed the Toshakhana section officer to assess and declare the value of the jewelry set.
The set, which was not deposited in Toshakhana as required, was later sold by a jewelry company for €300,000 (for the necklace) and €80,000 (for the earrings) on May 25, 2018. Information regarding the bracelet and ring that were part of the set could not be obtained from the company.
By May 28, 2021, the jewelry set had been valued at Rs70.56 million, with the necklace appraised at Rs50.64 million and the earrings at Rs10.50 million.
As per the rules, the required 50% payment for the set would be approximately Rs30.57 million.
The NAB has accused Khan and Bushra Bibi of violating the NAB Ordinance.
The reference alleges that both misused their authority, with the PTI founder having retained 58 out of 108 gifts during his tenure as prime minister.
The inquiry against the former premier and his wife was initiated by the NAB chairman on August 1, 2022, and the charges suggest that Khan and Bushra Bibi profited from the sale of the gifts, thus causing significant loss to the national treasury.
