Islamabad: Federal Capital Court Central-I on Thursday indicted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the New Toshakhana case.
Presiding over the trial at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, Special Judicial Magistrate-I Central Shahrukh framed charges against Arjumand, Khan and Bushra.
The case was initially filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). However, in view of the NAB amendment, the Federal Investigation Agency took up the case and registered a case in September this year.
The couple was held hostage in the case. But while the former first lady remains in prison, her husband is still behind bars in another case against him.
The couple, accused of defrauding the national treasury by illegally selling and hoarding state gifts, were arrested on July 13 – the same day they were released.
In October, the former first lady was released after months in prison after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) approved her post-arrest bail application.
Meanwhile, in November, the IHC granted bail to the jailed former prime minister.
However, neither Khan nor Bushra are out of hot water as the former prime minister’s legal woes are unlikely to end anytime soon with him named in as many as 188 different cases.
Meanwhile, the PTI founder’s wife also faces the threat of imprisonment after the IHC, saying her bail may be canceled by the court because she did not attend the trial. Arujmand issued a bail order on December 5.
What’s up?
In its complaint against Khan and Bushra, the accountability watchdog alleged that the deputy defense secretary had given information to officers of the Toshakhana Department to assess and declare the value of the jewellery. The aforementioned jewels are not stored in Toshahana.
The jewelery company sold the necklace on 25 May 2018 for £300,000 and the earrings for £80,000. The price information of the bracelet and ring is not available from the company.
On May 28, 2021, the jewelry set cost $70.56 million; The necklace cost $50.64 million, while the earrings included in the jewelry cost $10.50 million at the time.
According to the rules, 50% of the jewelry set is worth about $35.28 million.
The PTI founder and his wife reportedly violated National Accountability Bureau (NAB) rules. He added that on August 1, 2022, an investigation was started against the former prime minister on the orders of the NAB chairman.
“PTI founder and Bushra Bibi abused their power. PTI founder kept 58 out of 108 gifts during his prime ministership,” he said.
