Toshakhana reference against Imran, Bushra fixed for hearing on Dec 23

Accountability court dispatches notices to pertinent parties in reference file by NAB

An accountability court in Islamabad on Wednesday fixed for hearing a graft reference against former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in connection to the Toshakhana case, Express News reported.

The hearing for the reference, filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) a day earlier, is scheduled for December 23, with notices being already dispatched to the pertinent parties.

The NAB Rawalpindi, acting on allegations of graft, had named only two accused in the reference – Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.

The development came after the accountability court on Saturday rejected NAB's request for an extended physical remand of Khan in the Toshakhana case. The court, dismissing the bureau's plea, declared a 21-day judicial remand for the former PTI chairman. The hearing was adjourned until January 6.

Read: Imran sent on judicial remand in Toshakhana case

The crux of the accusations revolves around Imran and Bushra allegedly retaining gifts received during their official visits to foreign countries while Imran Khan served as the prime minister. Instead of following the prescribed official protocol by depositing these gifts in the Toshakhana, the couple purportedly kept them and contributed an amount less than the stipulated value into the national treasury.

Bushra, in particular, is accused of holding on to various jewellery items received as gifts during official visits. The list of allegedly retained gifts includes a locket, two rings, two ear tops, and two bracelets received on June 26, 2019. In 2020, she reportedly acquired a diamond-studded gold necklace, ring, bracelet, and ear tops. The list expanded in 2021 with the addition of a necklace, earrings, ring, and bracelet.

Despite repeated requests from the NAB for the return of these gifts, especially the jewellery items, Bushra has allegedly failed to comply. In response, the NAB directed her to appear at the NAB Rawalpindi office on December 11 and bring the specified ornaments with her. Subsequently, Bushra obtained bail until December 13 in this case from the accountability court in Islamabad.