Criminal Proceedings
Against Imran Khan in Toshakhana Case Declared "Inadmissible"
In a momentous announcement, the Islamabad
High Court (IHC) has delivered its long-awaited verdict, bringing immense
relief to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader, Imran Khan. The court deemed
the criminal proceedings against him in the Toshakhana case as inadmissible,
marking a significant victory for the PTI chief.
The Toshakhana case against Imran Khan is a
corruption case related to the purchase and sale of gifts from the Toshakhana,
a department that stores precious gifts given to rulers and officials by
foreign dignitaries. Imran Khan, the former prime minister of Pakistan and the
chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was accused of misusing his office to
buy and sell gifts worth more than Rs140 million (USD 635,000) and not
declaring them in his annual assets submitted to the Election Commission of
Pakistan (ECP).
The Toshakhana is a department that works
under the Cabinet Division’s administrative supervision, established in 1974.
It keeps priceless presents offered to rulers, lawmakers, bureaucrats, military
personnel and other officials by the heads of other states, governments, and
international dignitaries.
As stated by the law of Pakistan, gifts and
other such expensive items they obtain, people to whom these rules apply must
share with the Cabinet Division and submit their gifts and materials into
Toshakhana. A Prime Minister in Pakistan is allowed to retain the gifts only
after paying a certain amount.
Last year, on November 22, the Election
Commission of Pakistan (ECP) forwarded the Toshakhana reference to the trial
court, seeking to initiate criminal proceedings against Imran Khan under sections
137, 170, and 167 of the Election Act, 2017.
The reference was submitted to the court a
month after a unanimous decision by a four-member ECP bench, which concluded
that the PTI chairman had provided misleading information regarding the gifts
he had received from foreign dignitaries during his tenure as the prime
minister.
Initially, the trial was adjourned until April
29 due to the holy month of Ramadan and Eid holidays. However, the election
supervisor requested an earlier hearing, resulting in the court deciding to
entertain the ECP's plea on April 11.
In a separate development, ten cases filed
against the former premier in the Islamabad local court have been transferred
to the Judicial Complex, as per an official notification.
Today, cases filed in Shahzad Town and Tarnol
police stations will be heard, followed by cases from Karachi Company, Kohsar,
Ramna, Secretariat, Margalla, and Khanna police stations.
It's worth noting that the PTI chief's request
to declare the Toshakhana case inadmissible was previously rejected by a trial
court, which ruled that the case against him was admissible. This decision was
later challenged in the Islamabad High Court.
Subsequently, the high court extended the stay
order on the proceedings against the former premier. On June 23, after
extensive arguments from both sides, the court reserved its verdict and
adjourned the hearing.
And today, we have the verdict! The Islamabad
High Court has accepted the petition filed by the PTI chairman against the
trial court's May 5 decision and has directed the lower court to review its
verdict. The trial court has been given a seven-day window to reconsider the
case.
Interestingly, just yesterday, Imran Khan
expressed a lack of confidence in the bench of judges presiding over the
Toshakhana case, including IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq. However, the verdict
delivered today has undoubtedly brought a sense of relief for the PTI leader.
Official documents unveiled in April revealed
that Imran Khan and his wife had retained a staggering 52 valuable gifts worth
millions, without paying a single penny for them.
During his tenure, the list of gifts received
by the ex-PM remained concealed, sparking controversy and accusations of
withholding information from tax authorities.
Toshakhana is a department under the Cabinet
Division responsible for recording precious gifts bestowed upon rulers,
parliamentarians, and officials by heads of other governments, states, and
foreign dignitaries as a gesture of goodwill.
The previous government argued that disclosing
any information related to Toshakhana would jeopardize international relations.
The comprehensive list of gifts showcased an
array of luxury items, including seven exquisite Rolex watches, other expensive
timepieces, gold and diamond jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets, rings,
multiple diamond chains, an expensive pen, and cufflinks worth millions.
Additionally, the couple held onto dinner sets, perfumes, and the extravagant
fragrance of Oud. It's remarkable to see that they retained all these valuable
treasures presented to Pakistan by various nations around the world.
Among the extraordinary gifts, the most
precious was a stunning wristwatch worth Rs85 million, gifted by Saudi Crown
Prince Muhammad Bin Salman during Imran Khan's inaugural visit to the Kingdom.
Ironically, the former prime minister retained this extravagant timepiece by
paying a mere Rs20 million.
Previously, the trial court had deemed the
case against Imran Khan admissible, prompting the PTI chief to file an
application. Consequently, the Islamabad High Court intervened and halted the
proceedings against the ousted PM. This order was subsequently extended,
leading to the court reserving its decision.
Ultimately, the Islamabad High Court has sided
with the PTI chairman, accepting his petition and declaring the Toshakhana
criminal proceedings case inadmissible. Chief Justice Amir Farooq delivered
this favorable verdict, bringing a sense of relief to Imran Khan and his
supporters.
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