Imran Khan, wife Bushra Bibi indicted in new Toshakhana case

A special court in Islamabad on Thursday indicted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the Toshakhana jewellery case, also known as the jewellery set case.

The indictment was issued by Special Court Central-I Judge Shahrukh Arjumand during a hearing at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

The case, initially filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), was later transferred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) following the NAB Amendments.

The FIA filed its challan in September 2023. The couple is accused of causing a loss to the national exchequer by illegally selling and retaining state gifts during Khan's tenure as prime minister.

Both Khan and Bushra Bibi have been granted bail in the case. While Bushra Bibi has been released from prison, Imran Khan remains incarcerated due to other ongoing cases. The couple was arrested on July 13, 2023, the same day they were acquitted in a separate case related to the iddat period.

The Toshakhana case revolves around the alleged illegal sale of a valuable jewellery set. According to the NAB's reference, the set—comprising a necklace, earrings, bracelet, and ring—was not deposited in the Toshakhana as required by law.

The jewellery was sold for a total of €380,000, with the necklace valued at €300,000 and the earrings at €80,000 in May 2018. The value of the set was later estimated at Rs70.56 million in 2021, with 50% of this amount, or Rs35.28 million, being the official price according to the rules.

The reference further alleges that the couple violated the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Ordinance by retaining 58 out of 108 gifts during Khan's time as prime minister.

Although granted bail, Bushra Bibi faces potential legal consequences for failing to appear in court, with the Islamabad High Court (IHC) indicating that her bail could be revoked. On December 5, Judge Shahrukh Arjumand had issued bailable arrest warrants for her due to her absence from hearings.

Imran Khan, who has been named in over 188 different legal cases, faces a prolonged legal battle, while his wife, Bushra Bibi, could also face jail time depending on the developments in her ongoing cases.