Imran, Bushra to appeal gifts case verdict on 30th
Imran Khan and wife Bushra Bibi. Photo: File
Appeals against the convictions of former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana-II case have been prepared and are likely to be filed on Monday.
The Islamabad Special Judge (Central) Shahrukh Arjumand on December 20 found Imran and Bushra guilty in a corruption case stemming from violations of state gift repository — Toshakhana — rules and sentenced each to 17 years in prison.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs16.5 million on each of the convicted personsa failure to pay this fine will result in an additional imprisonment of six-month each.
The PTI has decided to challenge the conviction in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and Barrister Salman Safdar has prepared drafts of two separate appeals challenging the verdict.
The appeals state that the prosecution failed to prove the case against the couple. They argue that the Bulgari jewelry set was retained by the former PM and his wife in accordance with Toshakhana rules.
The appeals further claim that Sohail Abbas was illegally made an approver and that the trial court wrongly relied on the statement of a pardoned witness, which could not legally be relied upon.
It is also argued that the Special Judge (Central) lacked jurisdiction to hear the case and that punishment for the same offence cannot be awarded multiple times.
The appellants maintain that the case was registered without proper investigation and that they are being subjected to political victimization. The court has been requested to declare the Toshakhana-II verdict against Imran and Bushra null and void.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the prosecution in the case, accused Imran of misusing his position as the prime minister 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 May 10, 2021.
The set included a ring, bracelet, necklace, and a pair of earrings.
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 jewelry set, 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.
The FIA claimed that Imran and Bushra misused their authority, with the PTI founder retaining 58 out of 108 gifts during his tenure as prime minister.
In its order, the trial court noted that it was "established beyond doubt" that the accused were entrusted with the possession of the Bulgari jewelry set, which was to be dealt with in accordance with the Procedure for the Acceptance and Disposal of Gifts, 2018.
It said the accused, in active connivance with each other, did not deposit the jewelry set in Toshakhana and violated the Procedure for the Acceptance and Disposal of Gifts, 2018.