IHC seeks FIA reply on gift case pleas

Imran, Bushra move for acquittal in Saudi Bulgari set case

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued notices to the prosecution—the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)—on the acquittal petitions filed by former prime minister Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana-II case and sought a response.

An IHC bench comprising Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas on Tuesday took up the couple's petitions seeking their acquittal in a case related to alleged misuse of the state gifts repository — Toshakhana — rules for getting a precious Bulgari jewellery set presented as a gift by Saudi royal's during Imran's term as the prime minister.

Presenting arguments, Imran's counsel Salman Safdar said a Toshakhana case had been framed before as well, and the Toshakhana-II trial was now in its final stages.

"In Toshakhana-I, my client was convicted, but an IHC division bench suspended that sentence. The Toshakhana-II case was based on the same Bulgari watch set — if it exists, please tell us," he said.

Accusing the authorities of resorting to political victimization of his clients, he said alongside the cipher case, my client was also convicted in the Toshakhana-I case. After Bushra Bibi was acquitted in an Iddat case, she was rearrested at Gate No 5 of Adiala Jail, he added.

He said there was hardly any agency in Islamabad that had not investigated the Toshakhana matter, adding that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) began the inquiry, then the FIA took over and started its own probe.

When the court asked if the case also involved misuse of authority, Safdar replied that everything was written in the record. "Justice Miangul [Hassan Aurangzeb, then an IHC judge] had granted bail to both accused in this very case," he added. The court directed Safdar to submit copies of all related judicial orders.

Safdar informed the court that 19 witnesses had recorded their statements so far before the court conducting trial in the Toshakhana-II case. "There are a total of 35 witnesses. We are tired of hearing about Toshakhana again and again," he added.

Safdar urged the court to stop the trial court from issuing its final judgment. The court adjourned the hearing, stating that it would look into that. A written order would be issued later.

According to the charge-sheet, Imran Khan misused his position as the PM to acquire a Bulgari jewellery 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.