Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, currently incarcerated, faces ongoing legal challenges as a new Toshakhana case has been filed against him. This case involves the alleged illegal acquisition and sale of state gifts, including seven luxury watches and ten other valuable items such as diamond and gold sets, without proper declaration according to the law.
The inquiry report details that these gifts were frequently sold without being declared, as required. Notably, a Graff watch set was sold without retention and was significantly undervalued by Rs30 million, causing a substantial loss to the national exchequer. Although the Graff watch was worth over Rs100 million, only Rs20 million was deposited with the government, representing just 20% of its actual value. The report suggests collusion between a private property appraiser and the buyer to underprice the watch.
According to Toshakhana rules, all gifts must first be declared and deposited with Toshakhana. Gifts valued up to Rs30,000 can be retained by the recipient, but those exceeding this amount must be deposited. The National Accountability Bureau is now investigating this new case against Khan.
The Toshakhana, under the Cabinet Division, stores gifts given to government officials and dignitaries by foreign heads of state. These gifts must be reported to the Cabinet Division as per the rules.
Khan has also been disqualified under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution by the country’s top electoral authority, which means he is currently ineligible to be elected or chosen as a member of the Parliament or a Provincial Assembly.
Last month, the Islamabad High Court suspended the 14-year sentences imposed on Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the Toshakhana reference. They were sentenced by an Islamabad accountability court on January 31, just before the general elections. The verdict included a 10-year ban from holding public office and fines of Rs787 million each.
