Imran, Bushra indicted in new Toshakhana case

ISLAMABAD: PTI founder chairman Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were formally indicted in the Toshakhana 2.0 case by a special court on Thursday despite their denial of the charges.

The court summoned the prosecution witnesses on December 18 to record their testimonies. Both the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder chairman and his spouse appeared in court before Special Court Central-I Judge Shahrukh Arjumand during the hearing conducted in the Adiala jail. The judge read the charges aloud to the defendants, marking the official start of the legal proceedings. The hearing was adjourned following the indictment.

Imran is currently serving time in Adiala jail on multiple charges, including the “Iddat case,” which led to his initial arrest. He has faced multiple detentions and releases related to different cases. Bushra Bibi, on the other hand, was acquitted in the Iddat case and had been granted bail in other cases.

Earlier, Judge Arjumand had set the couple’s indictment in the case for October 2. However, it was deferred to October 5 on the defence counsel’s request. A day before, the judge had rejected their post-arrest bail petitions. After the Supreme Court upheld amendments to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) laws in September, the case was transferred to an FIA special court from an accountability court.

Meanwhile, a 190 million Pounds reference hearing against Imran was held in the Adiala jail. Accountability Court Judge Nasir Javed Rana heard the case. On the occasion, the accused submitted a signed statement in the court. Imran amended the statement about the presentation of witnesses in defence.

The PTI counsel informed the court that the former prime minister would not present witnesses in his defence. The prosecution lawyers would begin closing arguments at the upcoming hearing. Later, hearing of the reference was adjourned till December 17.

Meanwhile, the IHC said that the relevant judge can revoke Bushra Bibi’s bail in the Toshakhana 2.0 case if she fails to appear before the trial court in the case. “The [relevant] trial court can rescind a suspect’s bail if he/she fails to appear after getting bail from the high court,” said the court while wrapping up the petition filed by the FIA seeking the annulment of Bushra’s bail in jewelery set case.

The FIA, in its plea, heard by IHC’s Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, had contended that Bushra was misusing the concession granted by the court. The former first lady was granted post-arrest bail by the IHC in the Toshakhana 2.0 case on October 23. After getting out of prison, following months-long imprisonment, Bushra recently participated in the PTI’s infamous “do-or-die” protest in Islamabad. However, owing to her repeated absence from hearings in the case, Judge Shahrukh Arjumand on December 5 issued arrest warrants for the PTI founder’s wife.

During Thursday’s hearing — also attended by Bushra and her counsel Barrister Salman Safdar — the court inquired how many case hearings the former first lady had missed since securing bail. “Show me the trial court’s order sheets, did you get an exemption from appearance?” asked the court while addressing Barrister Safdar. “Is Bushra [Bibi] not in your control? Such cases should be taken seriously,” remarked Justice Aurangzeb.

In response, the former first lady’s lawyer, while complaining of the trial being conducted hastily, apprised the court that 15 hearings of the said case have been held since October 23. Safdar noted that the hearing on October 26 could not proceed as the judge was on leave.

On October 29, the case was heard, but Bushra Bibi did not appear, and a request for an exemption from appearance was submitted on her behalf. Similarly, on November 5, Bushra Bibi was absent, and another exemption request was filed. On November 8, Bushra Bibi appeared before the court. The hearing scheduled for November 12 did not take place, and on November 14, she was granted an exemption.

The lawyer further added that on November 24-25 cases were filed against Bushra Bibi, prompting her to seek protective bail from the Peshawar High Court. For the first time, on December 5, arrest warrants were issued for her, he said. The court, maintaining that the issue at hand was not of contempt of court, disposed of the FIA’s petition.

In its reference filed against Khan and Bushra, NAB said that the deputy military secretary briefed the Toshakhana section officer to estimate and declare the price of the jewellery set. The jewellery set, it mentioned, was not deposited in Toshakhana. The jewellery company sold the necklace for €300,000 and earrings for €80,000 on May 25, 2018. The information regarding the price of the bracelet and ring could not be obtained from the company. On May 28, 2021, the price of the jewellery set was estimated at Rs70.56 million; the price of the necklace was Rs50.64 million and the price of the earrings included in the jewellery valued at Rs10.50 million back then. According to the rules, the 50 percent price of the jewellery set is approximately Rs35.28 million.

As per the reference, the PTI founder and his wife violated the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Ordinance. It added that an inquiry was initiated against the former first couple on the instructions of the NAB chairman on August 1, 2022. “PTI founder and Bushra Bibi have misused their powers. PTI founder retained 58 out of 108 gifts during his prime ministership,” read the reference.

Meanwhile, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore indicted PTI leaders Yasmin Rashid, Shah Mehmood Qureshi and others in the Shadman Police Station siege and arson case. ATC Judge Manazir Ali Gill heard the case in Kot Lakhpat jail. The court while summoning witnesses to the next hearing adjourned the hearing of the case till December 19. Hearing of the Askari Tower siege and arson and other cases was adjourned till December 23.