Imran, Bibi challenge Toshakhana-II conviction

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, along with his wife, Bushra Bibi, filed separate appeals in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday challenging their conviction in the Toshakhana-II case.

The appeals follow a December 20 special court verdict sentencing the couple in connection with the purchase of an expensive Bulgari jewellery set, gifted to Imran Khan by the Saudi crown prince during an official visit in May 2021, at a nominal price.

Lawyer Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry submitted the appeals on behalf of the couple, with the IHC assigning diary number 24560 to Imran Khan's appeal and diary number 24561 to Bushra Bibi's appeal.

The appeals argue that the special judge central's court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case and improperly relied on the statements of an approver Inamullah Shah, who had previously been dismissed.

The appeals also contended that Suhaib Abbasi was made a witness illegally and that the prosecution failed to prove the case against them. The appeals requested that the Toshakhana-II verdict be declared null and void, asserting that a person cannot be sentenced multiple times for the same offence.

They further noted that under Toshakhana rules, the Bulgarian jewellery set was legally retained by the couple after payment, and that the case was initiated without proper investigation, reflecting political motivation.

The couple's lawyers also stressed that neither Imran Khan nor Bushra Bibi fall under the definition of a government employee, which is required to establish charges of criminal breach of trust. Bibi's appeal emphasised that she has never held any public office.

The appeals highlighted procedural flaws, noting that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) transferred the case to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and submitted a challan within two days, leaving insufficient time for a fair investigation.

The appeals requested that the IHC schedule hearings at the earliest possible date and set aside the December 20 verdict, ultimately seeking acquittal for both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.

Imran Khan, imprisoned since August 2023, is serving a 14-year sentence in a £190 million corruption case and faces other pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act related to May 9, 2023, protests. Bushra Bibi is serving a seven-year sentence in the same corruption case.