RAWALPINDI:
A trial court has rejected the bail applications filed by former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in a case concerning the alleged misuse of authority by Imran during his tenure as PM to obtain a valuable jewelry set from the state’s gift repository, Toshakhana.
The couple is set to be indicted on October 2.
Islamabad Central Judge Shahrukh Arjumand announced the verdict on Monday at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where Imran and Bushra Bibi are currently detained, following the conclusion of arguments from both sides.
During the hearing, the prosecution argued that Imran Khan acquired the jewelry set, valued at Rs71.5 million and gifted by Saudi Arabia, for Rs2.9 million.
“The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) verified the original value of the Bulgari set through the Foreign Office, which included a necklace, earrings, bracelet, and ring,” the prosecution stated.
They further alleged that as prime minister, Imran had the set’s market value assessed at Rs5.8 million. Rather than submitting the gift to Toshakhana, he kept it for himself. The prosecution added that Imran used his office secretary, Inam Shah, to handle the valuation, and both Shah and the Toshakhana appraiser confirmed the process. They claimed the case against Imran and Bushra Bibi was solid and requested the court to reject their bail applications.
Defense lawyer Barrister Salman Safdar countered by arguing that the current Toshakhana case was identical to a previous reference, with the same charges, witnesses, and defendants involved. He urged the court to dismiss the case, citing the Supreme Court’s reinstatement of NAB amendments. Despite the case being transferred from an accountability court to the special central judge’s court, bail was still denied. Safdar requested the court to approve bail for his clients.
After hearing both sides, the court reserved its decision and later announced the rejection of the bail pleas. FIA prosecutor Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi, along with a team of lawyers, represented the prosecution, while Barrister Salman Safdar appeared for the defense.
