Toshakhana 2.0: IHC issues notices to involved parties on Bushra Bibi’s plea

The Islamabad High Court on Thursday issued notices to the concerned parties regarding the post-arrest bail plea filed by Bushra Bibi, the wife of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, in the Toshakhana II case.

The decision came during a hearing presided over by Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb.

Bushra Bibi’s lawyer argued that she has been in custody since July 13 in connection with the case, and her previous bail plea was rejected by the trial court. The defence requested the court to schedule the next hearing on Monday.

In response, Justice Aurangzeb stated that the case would proceed as per normal protocol and that a new hearing date would be announced later. The court has deferred the proceedings to next week, asking for the parties to submit their responses by then.

Bushra Bibi was arrested as part of the ongoing Toshakhana case, where accusations involve the alleged misuse of gifts received during official foreign trips. 

Toshakhana 2.0

Bushra Bibi received the Bulgari jewelry set during a visit to Saudi Arabia from May 7 to 10, 2021.

The jewelry set included a ring, a bracelet, a necklace, and a pair of earrings.

During the investigation for the reference, it was found that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi illegally retained the Bulgari jewelry set.

On May 18, 2021, the Deputy Military Secretary informed the Section Officer of Toshakhana to assess and declare the value of the jewelry set, but it was not deposited.

According to the reference, Bulgari had sold the necklace to the Saudi Arabian franchise Solugent Trading on May 25, 2018, for 300,000 euros and the earrings for 80,000 euros.

However, the prices of the bracelet and ring were not available. On May 28, 2021, the total value of the Bulgari jewelry set was approximately 75,661,600 Pakistani Rupees.

The necklace was valued at 56,496,000 Rupees, and the earrings at 15,065,600 Rupees.

According to Toshakhana rules, the jewelry set's value, after paying 50 percent, should be 35,765,800 Rupees.
However, the NAB reference added that by undervaluing the jewelry set, a loss of 32,851,300 Rupees was incurred to the national treasury.

The PTI founder, along with Bushra Bibi, has violated Section 9 and Subsections 3, 4, 6, and 12 of the NAB Ordinance 1999.