Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi indicted in Toshakhana 2.0 case

Imran Khan is already in jail on multiple charges.

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A special court on Thursday formally indicted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana 2.0 case case.

Both Imran Khan, the former prime minister, and Bushra Bibi appeared in court before Judge Shahrukh Arjumand, who conducted the hearing at Adiala Jail, Express News reported.

Judge Shah Rukh Arjumand read the charges aloud to the defendants, marking the official start of the legal proceedings. The hearing was adjourned following the indictment.

Imran Khan is currently serving time in Adiala Jail on multiple charges, including the infamous "Iddat case," which led to his initial arrest.

He has since faced multiple detentions and releases related to different cases. Bushra Bibi, on the other hand, was acquitted in the Iddat case and has since been granted bail in other cases.

In another development, PTI leaders Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Yasmin Rashid were also indicted today.

They face charges related to their involvement in the May 9 unrest in Lahore, where they were accused of orchestrating acts of arson and violence.

The Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court indicted them for their alleged role in the destruction at Shadman Police Station.

The indictment of high-profile political figures, including Imran Khan and his inner circle, adds further complexity to the ongoing legal battles surrounding the PTI leadership. The cases are expected to shape the political landscape as Pakistan heads towards upcoming elections.

Toshakhana 2.0 case

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 Rs75,661,600 .

The necklace was valued at 56,496,000 Rupees, and the earrings at Rs15,065,600.

According to Toshakhana rules, the jewelry set's value, after paying 50 percent, should be Rs35,765,800.

However, the NAB reference added that by undervaluing the jewelry set, a loss of Rs32,851,300 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.