Imran Khan and his 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 expected to be filed on Monday.
On December 20, Islamabad Special Judge (Central) Shahrukh Arjumand found Imran and Bushra guilty in a corruption case stemming from violations of the rules of the state’s gift repository – Toshakhana – and sentenced them each to 17 years in prison.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs16.5 million on each of those found guilty. Failure to pay this fine will result in an additional prison sentence of six months each.
The PTI has decided to challenge the conviction in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and lawyer Salman Safdar has prepared drafts of two separate appeals challenging the verdict.
The appeals indicate that the prosecution failed to prove the charges 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.
The appeals further assert that Sohail Abbas was illegally appointed as an approver and that the trial court improperly relied on the statement of a pardoned witness, which could not legally be relied upon.
It is also argued that the Special Judge (Central) had no jurisdiction to hear the case and the punishment for the same offense could not be imposed more than once.
The petitioners claim that the case was registered without proper investigation and that they are being subjected to political victimization. The court was asked to declare the Toshakhana-II verdict against Imran and Bushra null and void.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), prosecuting the case, accused Imran of abusing his position as prime minister to acquire a Bulgari jewelry set that the Saudi crown prince had given as a gift during the couple’s visit to Saudi Arabia between May 7 and 10, 2021.
The set included a ring, a bracelet, a necklace and a pair of earrings.
On May 18, 2021, the Deputy Military Secretary informed the Toshakhana Section Officer of the need to assess and declare the price of the jewelry set, but it was not filed.
Bulgari sold the necklace for 300,000 euros and the earrings for 80,000 euros to a Saudi franchise on May 25, 2018. However, the price of the bracelet and ring could not be determined.
As of May 28, 2021, the total estimated value of the Bulgari jewelry set was approximately Rs75,661,600. The necklace alone was valued at Rs56,496,000 and the earrings at Rs15,065,600.
According to the Toshakhana rules, 50% of the price would amount to Rs35,765,800, but the jewelry set was undervalued, causing a loss of Rs32,851,300 to the national exchequer.
The FIA claimed that Imran and Bushra had abused their authority, with the PTI founder retaining 58 of 108 gifts during his tenure as prime minister.
In its order, the trial court noted that it was “established beyond doubt” that the accused were entrusted with possession of the Bulgari jewelry set, which was to be dealt with in accordance with the Procedure for Acceptance and Disposal of Gifts, 2018.
He said the accused, in active connivance with each other, did not deposit the jewelry set at Toshakhana and violated the Procedure for Acceptance and Disposal of Gifts, 2018.
