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Toshakhana case unveiled: Imran Khan indicted

Imran Khan, a renowned cricket icon-turned-politician is accused of misusing his position by acquiring and selling gifts received during official visits, with a total value exceeding Rs140 million ($635,000).

Islamabad, 10 May 2023 (GNP): On Wednesday, PTI leader Imran Khan was indicted in the Toshakhana case, a move that took place despite his legal team’s boycott of the proceedings. 

The indictment occurred at a local court in Islamabad, despite Imran Khan’s request for postponement.

After the Al-Qadir Trust case hearing concluded, where Imran Khan had been detained by Islamabad High Court (IHC) a day before, the Toshakhana case hearing was conducted in New Police Line Guest House.

Additional Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar indicted the PTI chairman, who is right now in detention, for “deliberately concealing” information about gifts he kept from Toshaskhana while he was prime minister.

In this case, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has asked for criminal charges to be brought against Imran Khan.

PTI chairman Imran Khan had been avoiding the court, therefore the indictment in the case stayed pending for a while.

Also Read: Imran Khan’s Arrest: response of Journalists and Analysts

Khan was given a court date in Islamabad last week so that charges could be filed against him. The electoral watchdog claims in its referral that the former premier purposefully withheld the information about the presents he took from Toshaskhana.

Moreover, Khan’s hearing was held where he was being held in custody, not at a normal court in Islamabad.

According to a notification released by the Government of Pakistan, the Islamabad chief commissioner had previously stated that Khan would be presented at the New Police Guest House, Police Lines rather than being taken to F-8 Court Complex and Judicial Complex G 11/4 for this particular hearing.

Toshakhana Case: Allegations of Misuse and Profit by Imran Khan

The Toshakhana case, which involves the usage of a government treasure house, has drawn great attention following accusations that former prime minister Imran Khan had bought and later sold those presents received during his reign in order to make substantial profits.

Regulations under the Toshakhana allow officials to keep low-value presents, while expensive gifts call for a substantially lower cost to be paid to the government.

Imran Khan is accused of exploiting his office from 2018 to 2022 to purchase and then sell items that were given to him on official foreign trips and had a combined worth of more than Rs140 million ($635,000).

Among the gifts implicated in the controversy are wristwatches, including six Rolex timepieces, bestowed by the royal family. 

Also ReadPTI leader Imran khan remanded for 8 days.

Government officials assert that Khan’s aides purportedly sold these watches in Dubai. Notably, one of the watches, a “Master Graff limited edition,” is valued at a staggering 85 million Pakistani rupees ($385,000).

In light of these allegations, the election commission issued an order citing Imran Khan’s disqualification under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution.

As a result, the election commissioner hopped the Islamabad Sessions Court to request that the Khan be subject to criminal charges.

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