NAB withdraws new Toshakhana reference against Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Monday withdrew the new Toshakhana reference against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi.

The accountability department took the decision in light of the Supreme Court's verdict on NAB amendments pronounced on September 6. 

The apex court reserved the verdict on the petition filed by the federal government, seeking the restoration of PDM-made amendment in the NAB Act 1999.

The amendment restricted NAB from involving cases over Rs500 million.

Following the NAB request, the accountability court transferred the reference to a special judge in the federal capital.

The prosecutor informed the court that the new Toshakhana reference does not fall in the NAB jurisdictions after the restorations of amendments.

The counsel representing the PTI founder said that in the light of such amendments, the reference should not even exist.

The development came after Imran Khan sought his acquittal from the NAB cases. 

However, the former prime minister is still facing incarceration due to the May 9 riots case, when violent protests started after his arrest from the premises of IHC.

Imran Khan was imprisoned at the Adiala Jail after he and his wife were convicted in the Toshakhana and un-Islamic nikkah case. Following the court annulled the convictions, the NAB filed a new Toshakhana reference.