NAB arrests Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi in connection with the new Toshakhana case
RAWALPINID/ISLAMABAD, July 13 (SABAH): In an important development, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in connection with the new Toshakhana case.
The arrest was carried out by anti-graft watchdog team led by Deputy Director Mohsin Haroon at Adiala Jail.
According to NAB sources, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were arrested in connection with a new Toshakhana reference. As prime minister, Imran Khan and his wife allegedly obtained gifts from the gift repository at low prices and sold them at higher rates.
Sources stated that after completing the legal formalities, the NAB team formally arrested Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.
Earlier, a team investigating the May 9 cases registered in Lahore had also arrived at Adiala Jail, indicating the possibility of further arrests of the PTI founder in those cases.
The second Toshakhana investigation is reportedly focused on various expensive watches and jewellery. According to sources, Bushra Bibi has been implicated in the investigation and may face arrest due to her alleged lack of cooperation with the authorities.
The NAB has officially commenced its investigation into the matter to uncover any potential irregularities or misconduct.
In May this year, a new case of Toshakhana misuse emerged against Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi. The NAB launched an investigation into the alleged illegal possession and sale of seven high-value watches and 10 other precious gifts, including diamond and gold jewellery.
According to the inquiry report, a copy of which available with a private TV channel, the allegations involve the unauthorized sale of valuable items such as Graff and Rolex watches, as well as diamond and gold jewellery. The report indicates that these gifts were sold without being legally owned or deposited in the Toshakhana, as required by law.
The report specifically mentions a set of expensive Graff watches that were sold without proper retention. It highlights the legal mandate that all gifts must first be reported and deposited in the Toshakhana. Only items valued up to Rs30,000 can be retained for free by the recipients.
The Graff watch buyer was facilitated by the alleged collusion of a private appraiser. The estimator’s underestimating the price of the watch by Rs30 million before receiving the email from Toshakhana is proof of the collusion, according to NAB. The watch, valued at Rs100.9 million, saw only 20% of its amount, Rs20.1 million, deposited into the government treasury.
On April 1, the Islamabad High Court had suspended the sentences of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in a previous Toshakhana reference of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
On January 31, Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Bashir had sentenced the couple to imprisonment of 14 years each. Khan was also disqualified from holding any public office for 10 years. A fine of Rs787 million was also imposed on each, which totalled Rs1.58 billion collectively.