Toshakhana case: Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan gets 3-year jail; disqualified from politics for 5 years
Islamabad, August 5: A district and sessions court in Pakistan has pronounced a three-year jail sentence for former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case. The case pertains to the illegal sale of state gifts. He has also been disqualified from participating in politics for a period of five years.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs 100,000 on the PTI chief, Geo News reported.
According to Geo News, following his conviction in the Toshakhana case, former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested from his Zaman Park residence in Lahore. During the hearing presided by Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Humayun Dilawar, the trial court found the charges against him in the case to be proven, as reported by Dawn.
“Imran Khan deliberately submitted fake details [of Toshakhana gifts] to the ECP and is found guilty of corrupt practices,” he stated and sent the PTI chief to jail for three years under Section 174 of the Election Act.
In anticipation of today's proceedings, a substantial police contingent was stationed outside the court premises, restricting access only to lawyers, who were permitted to enter the courtroom.
The recent development comes after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) nullified the session court's verdict on the Toshakhana reference against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman. The IHC deemed the reference maintainable and instructed the lower court to conduct a fresh hearing of the case.
Earlier, on August 2, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) postponed the indictment of the former Pakistan Prime Minister in the Toshakhana case, according to a report from Dawn, a Pakistan-based news outlet.
Earlier on July 3, Imran Khan had lashed out at the Shehbaz Sharif government, alleging that the administration has "made a plan" to put him in jail and the whole episode that transpired over his arrest was "pre-planned".
Giving clarification over the allegations in the Toshakhana case, Khan claimed that the gifts were sold "as per the rules" and everything has been declared in FDR.
"As per the law, when PM, President, Army Chief receives gifts, it goes to Toshakhana, where it is valued. It is done through an FDR, with an initial value and then an appraisal. If there are any excess value, they give the option of purchasing. This is the rule. Under this I took many gifts and refused others. Whatever I sold, is declared in FBR and is under capital gains tax. What is wrong here? Also, under this case, NAB, Election Commission and FIR is also filed. It is just not possible that three cases are being run on the same issue," he had then said.
What is Toshaskhana?
The Toshakhana case revolves around allegations that the former Pakistan Prime Minister deliberately concealed information regarding gifts he received from the Toshakhana during his tenure. The Toshakhana is a repository where presents from foreign officials to government officials are kept. The case includes claims of selling these gifts and not disclosing the proceeds.
The case was registered by lawmakers from the ruling party and is based on a criminal complaint filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), as reported by Dawn.
Toshakhana rules
According to Toshakhana rules, individuals subject to these regulations are required to report gifts and related items received to the Cabinet Division. Notably, Imran Khan, the PTI Chairman, has faced several legal cases concerning his possession of gifts, and he has also been disqualified by the electoral body due to this issue.
On May 9, this year, former PM and PTI Chairman Imran Khan was arrested from inside the High Court in Islamabad by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on the charges of corruption in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust, which he owns alongside his wife, Bushra Bibi.
Following Khan's arrest, his party called for demonstrations, which turned violent at many places. The administration resorted to crackdown and many arrests were made across the country. The people accused in the May 9 violence are being tried at military courts.
- ANI
