Imran says he sold Toshakhana gifts through military secretary

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan said on Tuesday he had sold the Toshakhana gifts through his military secretary Brigadier Waseem Cheema.

Recording his statement in the Toshakhana case, he said Brigadier Waseem Cheema was an important and relevant character in this whole episode. “I request the court to call him to record his statement in the case,” he said, pleading innocence in the case.

Imran Khan recorded his statement under Section 342 in the Toshakhana case here on Tuesday. He also signed the statement he recorded before Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Humayun Dilawar. The court then adjourned the hearing till 9:30am Wednesday (today). The court rejected the request of defence lawyers to present the list of witnesses.

On being asked by the court if he was satisfied with his answers, Imran replied in the affirmative. He submitted his statement based on 35 questions posed by the court. He told the court the Toshakhana case had been registered on political grounds. “Both the prosecution witnesses were puppets of the government,” he alleged.

The judge asked lawyer Khwaja Haris if he had been staying up late at night. The PTI chief told the judge this was the situation with all of them these days. Barrister Gohar then sought some time to present the witnesses. “The list has not been prepared yet, so we need time to prepare the list,” the lawyer remarked and asked for two days for the purpose.

The Election Commission of Pakistan lawyers opposed the plea for time. Amjad Pervaiz said there were two kinds of witnesses, public and private. Judge Humayun Dilawar told the lawyer to make sure to provide the list of private witnesses tomorrow. The court then adjourned the hearing till 9:30am Wednesday (today).

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of Pakistan will take up today (Wednesday) a petition of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, challenging the verdict of the Islamabad High Court, denying a stay order on the trial of the Toshakhana reference filed against him. A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Yahya Afridi and comprising Justice Mazahir Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Musarrat Hilali, will hear the plea of former premier Imran Khan seeking for leave to appeal under Article 185(3) of the Constitution against the order dated 27-07-2023 passed by the chief justice of Islamabad High Court.

Also on Tuesday, Judge Muhammad Bashir of Accountability Court, Islamabad, extended the interim bail of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in the 190 million pounds Al-Qadir Trust case till August 4.

Earlier, Imran’s counsel told the court they were in the sessions court and had to go there frequently. He then asked for an adjournment till August 12. Khwaja Haris said he was unable to spend time with his family due to his busy schedule. “My son arrived on 23rd and I have not met him yet,” he said. The judge remarked that Friday could be set for final arguments on the bail.

NAB Deputy Prosecutor Sardar Muzaffar complained that a new date was given at each hearing. After an extension in the interim bail, the NAB also returned Imran Khan’s mobile phone confiscated during his detention.

Earlier, the court put off the hearing for a while till the PTI chief and his wife reached the court. The NAB deputy prosecutor general told the court that final arguments on the interim bail were to be held today. “Until the PTI chairman comes, the court should serve us tea,” Prosecutor Afzal Qureshi said. “We can offer you tea, of course,” the judge said on which the courtroom erupted in laughter.