A trial court on Thursday finally indicted PTI founder Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi in a case related to alleged violation of the state gift repository - Toshakhana - rules during the former's term as the prime minister to acquire a precious jewelry set.
Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand read out the charge-sheet against the former PM and his wife in a courtroom inside Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail, where Imran has been detained for over one year. Both the PTI founder and his wife - who were present in the court - denied the allegations.
The court later adjourned till December 18. At the next hearing, the prosecution - the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) - will present the first four of its 28 witnesses.
At Thursday's hearing of the case, Imran and Bushra were represented by Advocate Salman Safdar while the FIA was represented by Special Public Prosecutor Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi and Umair Majeed.
According to the charge-sheet, Imran misused his position to acquire a Bulgari jewelry set that the Saudi crown prince presented as a gift during the couple's visit to Saudi Arabia between May 7 and 10, 2021.
The set included a ring, bracelet, necklace, and a pair of earrings. According to the evidence gathered during the investigation, Imran and Bushra unlawfully retained the set.
On May 18, 2021, the deputy military secretary informed the section officer of Toshakhana about the need to assess and declare the price of the gift, but it was not deposited.
Bulgari sold the necklace for 300,000 euros and the earrings for 80,000 euros to a Saudi franchise on May 25, 2018. However, the price of the bracelet and ring could not be determined.
As of May 28, 2021, the total estimated value of the Bulgari jewelry set was approximately Rs75,661,600. The necklace alone was valued at Rs56,496,000, and the earrings at Rs15,065,600.
According to Toshakhana rules, 50% of the price would amount to Rs35,765,800, but the jewelry set was undervalued, causing a loss of Rs32,851,300 to the national treasury, claimed the FIA.
Meanwhile, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore also indicted PTI leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Mehmoodur Rasheed, Dr Yasmin Rashid and others in a case registered against them in the wake of the May 9, 2023 riots that occurred after the arrest of Imran Khan in Islamabad.
In the charge-sheet, the PTI leaders were accused of disrupting law and order, creating anarchy and resorting to arson. The leaders denied the charges and vowed to contest them. Later, the ATC judge summoned the prosecution witnesses for further proceeding.
Previously, the ATC judge had indicted Qureshi and others in a case registered at Lahore's Mughalpura police precincts after the May 9 incidents.
On Thursday, Imran and Bushra also appeared before a trial court hearing the £190m case.
Judge Nasir Javed Rana of the Islamabad Accountability Court-I presided over the hearing during which the PTI founder and his wife submitted an amended version of their statement under Section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Imran Khan also withdrew his decision to present defense witnesses. The court later adjourned till December 17. At the next hearing, the prosecution will present final arguments in light of the accused's statements under Section 342.
Following the final arguments, the accountability judge will deliver the verdict on the reference.
A trial court on January 31 of this year found Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi guilty of misusing states' gift repository and sentenced them to 14 years in prison.
The court also slapped a fine of Rs787 million each on the accused individuals in what is described as the most swiftly concluded trial in accountability courts' history.
In the reference filed on December 19, 2023, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had accused the former PM and his wife of retaining precious gifts received during Imran's terms as the country's chief executive in violation of the prescribed protocol.
Interestingly, another trial court on August 5, 2023, disqualified Imran Khan and sentenced him to three years in prison for not disclosing the gifts he received as the prime minister in his statements of assets and liabilities submitted to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) later suspended the January 31 order of the accountability court.
WITH INPUT FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT IN LAHORE
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