Rawalpindi, December 12, 2024: A special court on Thursday formally indicted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the Toshakhana 2.0 case.
The indictment was carried out by Judge Shahrukh Arjumand during a hearing conducted at Adiala Jail. Both Imran Khan, the former prime minister, and Bushra Bibi were present in court. Judge Arjumand read the charges aloud, officially commencing the legal proceedings. The hearing was adjourned following the formal indictment.
Imran Khan is currently serving time at Adiala Jail on multiple charges, including the controversial “Iddat case,” which initially led to his arrest. Since then, he has been detained and released multiple times in connection with various cases. Meanwhile, Bushra Bibi was acquitted in the Iddat case and has since secured bail in other legal matters.
In a related development, PTI leaders Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Yasmin Rashid were also indicted on Thursday. They face charges stemming from the May 9 unrest in Lahore, where they were accused of orchestrating arson and violence, including the destruction of the Shadman Police Station. The Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court formally indicted them for their alleged involvement.
The indictments of high-profile PTI figures, including Imran Khan and his close associates, have intensified the ongoing legal challenges facing the party’s leadership. These cases are expected to significantly influence Pakistan’s political dynamics as the nation prepares for upcoming elections.
What is Toshakhana 2.0 Case?
The Toshakhana 2.0 case revolves around a Bulgari jewelry set gifted to Bushra Bibi during a visit to Saudi Arabia from May 7 to May 10, 2021. The set included a ring, bracelet, necklace, and earrings. Investigations revealed that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi allegedly retained the jewelry illegally.
On May 18, 2021, the Deputy Military Secretary instructed the Toshakhana Section Officer to assess and declare the jewelry’s value. However, the set was not deposited. According to the NAB reference, the necklace was sold by Bulgari to Saudi Arabian franchise Solugent Trading on May 25, 2018, for €300,000, while the earrings were priced at €80,000. The values of the bracelet and ring remain unconfirmed.
On May 28, 2021, the jewelry set’s total value was determined to be approximately PKR 75,661,600, with the necklace valued at PKR 56,496,000 and the earrings at PKR 15,065,600. As per Toshakhana rules, 50% of the assessed value—PKR 35,765,800—should have been paid to retain the set. However, the NAB alleges that by undervaluing the jewelry, a loss of PKR 32,851,300 was inflicted on the national treasury. Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi stand accused of violating Section 9 and Subsections 3, 4, 6, and 12 of the NAB Ordinance, 1999.
