All You Need to Know About Toshakhana Case

In a significant development on January 31, 2024, former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have been handed a 14-year jail sentence by an accountability court in Rawalpindi. The verdict, related to the illegal sale of state gifts, not only brings severe legal consequences for the couple but also renders them ineligible to contest public office for a decade. Alongside the hefty prison term, a substantial fine of 787 million rupees ($2.8 million) has been imposed on each of them.

The case centers around the alleged illegal sale of gifts received by Imran Khan during his premiership from 2018 to 2022. These gifts, typically stored in Toshakhana since its establishment in 1974, include a variety of valuables such as bulletproof cars, gold-plated souvenirs, paintings, watches, ornaments, rugs, and swords. While government officials are permitted to retain low-worth gifts, extravagant items require payment of a reduced fee.

The accusations suggest that Imran Khan, during his tenure, purchased these gifts at lower rates and subsequently sold them for significant profits. The total worth of misused gifts is reported to be more than Rs140 million ($635,000), with items like Rolex and a “Master Graff limited edition” wristwatch valued at 85 million Pakistani rupees among them.

The controversy emerged when National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf forwarded a reference to the Election Commission, leading to an investigation. In October 2022, the Election Commission declared Imran Khan guilty of corrupt practices, asserting that he had made false statements and incorrect declarations about the gifts, disqualifying him under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution.

The legal proceedings saw various twists and turns, including the trial court indicting Imran Khan on May 10, rejecting his plea to declare the case inadmissible. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) overturned the trial court’s ruling on July 4, directing a rehearing within seven days. On July 8, 2023, Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Dilawar declared the Toshakhana case against Khan as maintainable.

Amidst trial proceedings, Imran Khan’s legal team accused the presiding judge of bias, leading to a request for the case’s transfer. However, the trial court rejected the list of witnesses presented by PTI Chairman on August 2, citing a failure to prove their relevance. Chief Justice of the IHC, Farooq, referred the matter back to the trial court on August 4, directing a re-examination of jurisdiction and procedural lapses.

The trial court eventually found Imran Khan guilty of misdeclaration of state gifts on August 5. In August 2023, the IHC announced a short verdict, directing authorities to release Imran Khan on bail, contingent on the submission of a surety bond of Rs100,000, earlier instructed in 2023. This landmark case, with its intricate legal maneuvers, underscores the legal ramifications for a former head of state and adds another layer to the political landscape in Pakistan.

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