After the Supreme Court’s significant ruling on amendments to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the anti-corruption agency withdrew the new Toshakhana reference against PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, on Monday, and referred the case to a relevant court.
The development took place during the hearing of the jailed former prime minister’s bail petition regarding the Toshakhana reference. The case revolves around a jewelry set, which was gifted by the Saudi crown prince to Imran Khan and his wife during his tenure as prime minister. Originally investigated by NAB, the case was transferred to a special judge central by the accountability court.
At the outset of the hearing, the prosecutor representing NAB clarified that the reference was no longer within the bureau’s jurisdiction following the Supreme Court’s verdict last week, which restored previous amendments to the NAB law. The prosecutor explained that, under the revised legal framework, certain cases no longer fall under NAB’s purview, necessitating the referral of this case to another court.
The Supreme Court’s decision on the NAB amendments is seen as a major shift in the accountability framework and has led to the review and reassessment of several high-profile cases. The withdrawal of the Toshakhana reference is part of the broader adjustments being made in light of the court’s ruling.
The Toshakhana case has drawn significant public attention due to the involvement of high-ranking political figures and concerns over the handling of state gifts, further highlighting the legal and political complexities surrounding accountability proceedings in Pakistan.
