IHC criticises PTI's previous govt for withholding Toshakhana details

The Islamabad High Court raised serious concerns about the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI)-led government's policy of withholding information regarding the gifts held in Toshakhana, the state treasury for official gifts.

The remarks came , on Wednesday during the hearing of a post-arrest bail petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in connection with the Toshakhana case, Express News reported.

Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, while hearing the case, pointed out that when the court sought information on Toshakhana during the PTI government’s tenure, it was deliberately withheld.

He remarked that the PTI”s government had claimed that Toshakhana details should not be made public and that they were kept hidden from the public and the judiciary. His comments reflected the ongoing controversy surrounding the transparency of state assets under the previous administration.

The case concerns allegations against Imran Khan, accusing him of misusing his position to acquire valuable state gifts at significantly lower prices, which allegedly caused losses to the state.

The gifts in question, which included luxury items, were reportedly purchased by Imran and his wife, Bushra Bibi, under questionable circumstances.

During the hearing, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) prosecutor argued that the undervaluation of these gifts led to financial benefits for both Imran and his wife.

He stated that the undervaluing of the gifts amounted to a loss to the national exchequer and that both Imran and his wife had exploited the system for personal gain. The prosecutor also alleged that a Bulgari jewelry set was never even deposited into Toshakhana, further complicating the case.

Imran’s lawyer, Barrister Salman Safdar, refuted these allegations, stating that the gifts were received according to the Toshakhana policy of 2018.

He explained that the gifts had been acquired by paying a price based on their valuation, which was determined by customs officers and appraisers at the time.

Safdar also pointed out that the charge sheet did not clearly identify the primary accused, leaving ambiguity about the exact roles of the involved parties.

He further highlighted that the registration of the case had been delayed by more than three years, questioning the lack of evidence for a criminal offense.

Safdar argued that no crime had been committed and that the case should be considered for further inquiry and bail.

In a tense exchange during the hearing, the FIA prosecutor claimed that both Imran and his wife benefited from the undervalued state gifts, to which Justice Aurangzeb responded, “How did the PTI founder benefit?” The prosecutor suggested that since Bushra Bibi benefitted, so did Khan, implying that the couple had jointly exploited the system for personal gain.

Justice Aurangzeb responded sharply, saying, “Oh please, my wife’s belongings are not mine, we’re not living in that world.”

His remark underscored the personal nature of the allegations and the complexities involved in separating individual actions from shared responsibilities.

As the hearing drew to a close, the Islamabad High Court adjourned the proceedings, with Justice Aurangzeb stating that the court would reconvene to make a decision on the bail petition.

Imran, Bushra Bibi's bail extended in Toshakhana fake receipts case

Earlier this month, an Additional District and Sessions Judge extended Bushra Bibi's and former prime Imran Khan's interim bail in the Toshakhana fake receipts case until November 4.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka presided over the hearing of six pre-arrest bail applications submitted by Imran Khan and one by Bushra Bibi, extending their interim bail until December 7.

Bushra Bibi’s request for an exemption from today’s appearance was accepted, while Imran Khan was not presented via video link despite the court's directive.

The investigation officer requested additional time for verifying the Toshakhana receipts.

It is notable that Imran Khan, the founder of PTI, and Bushra Bibi have been named as suspects in the Toshakhana fake receipts case. Imran Khan is also implicated in cases involving five protests, vandalism, and other related charges.

The PTI founder and Bushra Bibi had approached the court seeking pre-arrest bail.