Imran Khan and wife Bushra Bibi. Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
Appeals against the convictions of former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana-II case have been prepared and are likely to be filed on Monday.
Islamabad Special Judge (Central) Shahrukh Arjumand on 20 December found Imran and Bushra guilty in a corruption case stemming from violations of the state’s gift store – Toshakhana – rules and sentenced each to 17 years in prison.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs 16.5 million on each of the convicted persons – failure to pay this fine will result in an additional imprisonment of six months each.
The PTI has decided to challenge the verdict in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and barrister Salman Safdar has drafted two separate appeals challenging the verdict.
In the appeals, it appears that the prosecution failed to prove the case against the couple. They claim that the Bulgari jewelry set was kept by the former prime minister and his wife in accordance with Toshakhana rules.
Appellees further contend that Sohail Abbas was illegally made an approver and that the trial court erroneously relied on the testimony of a pardoned witness who could not legally be relied upon.
It is also contended that the Special Judge (Central) lacked jurisdiction to try the case and that punishment for the same offense cannot be awarded multiple times.
The appellants claim that the case was registered without proper investigation and that they are being subjected to political victimization. The court has been requested to declare the Toshakhana-II judgment against Imran and Bushra null and void.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the prosecuting agency in the case, accused Imran of abusing his position as prime minister to acquire a Bulgari jewelry set presented by the Saudi crown prince as a gift during the couple’s visit to Saudi Arabia between May 7 and May 10, 2021.
The set included a ring, bracelet, necklace and a pair of earrings.
On 18 May 2021, the Deputy Military Secretary informed Toshakhana’s Section Officer of the need to assess and disclose the price of the jewelry set, but it was not deposited.
Bulgari sold the necklace for 300,000 euros and the earrings for 80,000 euros to a Saudi franchise on 25 May 2018. However, the price of the bracelet and ring could not be determined.
As of 28 May 2021, the total estimated value of the Bulgari jewelery set was approximately Rs 75,661,600. The necklace alone was valued at Rs 56,496,000 and the earrings at Rs 15,065,600.
According to the Toshakhana rules, 50% of the price would amount to Rs.35,765,800, but the jewelery set was undervalued, resulting in a loss of Rs.32,851,300. for the treasury.
The FIA alleged that Imran and Bushra abused their authority, with the PTI founder retaining 58 out of 108 gifts during his tenure as prime minister.
In its ruling, the High Court noted that it was “established beyond reasonable doubt” that the accused were entrusted with the possession of the Bulgari jewelery set, which had to be dealt with in accordance with the Procedure for the Acceptance and Disposal of Gifts, 2018.
It said the accused, in active collusion with each other, did not deposit the jewelery in the Toshakhana and violated the Procedure for Acceptance and Disposal of Gifts, 2018.
