The founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, along with his wife Bushra Bibi, had their bail application rejected in the Toshakhana 2 case.
The hearing for their bail application took place at Adiala Jail, presided over by Special Judge Central, Shah Rukh Arjumand. Prosecutor Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi, representing the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), appeared with his team, while Barrister Salman Safdar defended Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.
The prosecution argued that Imran Khan acquired a valuable set worth 70 million rupees from Saudi Arabia for only 2.9 million rupees. The prosecution’s lawyer stated that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had obtained the original price of the Bulgarian set through the Foreign Office, which included a necklace, earrings, bracelets, and a ring.
They further explained that, as Prime Minister, Imran Khan had valued the market price of the valuable set at 5.8 million rupees. He reportedly kept the state gift without depositing it in the Toshakhana. Imran Khan allegedly had the price of the Bulgarian set assessed through his office secretary, Inam Shah, who, along with the Toshakhana appraiser, confirmed this process.
The prosecution maintained that the case against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi was proven, urging the court to reject the bail application.
In his defense, Salman Safdar argued that the Toshakhana 2 case was similar to a previous reference, stating that both cases involved the same allegations and witnesses, with the same defendants. He continued by saying that following the Supreme Court’s decision regarding NAB amendments, this case should be dismissed. Despite a previous transfer of the case to the Special Judge Central, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were not granted bail.
Safdar requested the court to approve their bail application. After hearing detailed arguments from both sides, the court reserved its decision. Shortly afterward, the court announced the rejection of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi’s bail application.
It is worth noting that a formal charge is set to be filed against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana 2 case on October 2. On July 13, NAB arrested them shortly after they secured bail in a separate Nikah case, leading to a new reference in the Toshakhana case.
According to NAB’s inquiry report, the Toshakhana 2 case involves the illegal possession and sale of ten valuable gifts, including seven watches. However, following the Supreme Court’s decision on NAB amendments, the accountability court transferred the Toshakhana 2 reference from NAB to the FIA.
To investigate the Toshakhana 2 case, the FIA has formed a three-member Joint Investigation Team (JIT).
