RAWALPINDI: The Toshakhana II case’s hearing will likely be held in Adiala Jail today. Sources suggest that court staff have informed PTI founder Imran Khan’s lawyer, Salman Safdar. The verdict will likely be reserved after the prosecution’s response.
The Toshakhana II case is related to the alleged misuse and improper handling of state gifts during the PTI founder Imran Khan’s tenure in office.
According to the prosecution, the gifts were not declared and were not managed in accordance with relevant rules. All the allegations have been denied by the defence, and they maintain the case is politically motivated.
For several months, the case has been under trial. The previous hearings focused on the submission of legal responses and arguments from both sides.
The proceedings today will be significant as the court is expected to move to a final decision.
The court proceedings today will be held by Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand. Both PTI founder Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi will be present in the courtroom.
The statements of the accused under section 342 have been completed, and the recording of evidence and final arguments have also been completed.
It is a possibility that after the prosecution submits its arguments, a verdict will be reserved. A possibility exists that the verdict might even be announced today.
Toshakhana II case’s last hearing took place on October 16. After that, the hearing has been adjourned 3 times.
Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand has arrived in Adiala Jail. The FIA prosecutor has also arrived in Adiala Jail.
In the Toshakhana II case, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi have been sentenced to 10 years in jail.
Both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were present at the hearing.
Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi have also been charged with a Rs. 1 crore fine.
The state gifts are state property. The reason for the Toshakhana rules is to prevent personal enrichment through public office
The case was a Special Court matter under PPC 109, PPC 409, read with PCA 1947 Section 5(2).
These were not political tools but accountability provisions.
According to the court, the prosecution’s case was transaction-specific. The case focused on a Bulgari Jewellery gift set received in May 2021.
It was alleged by the prosecution that the gift was not deposited, undervalued and retained at a small price.
What applied here was the Toshakhana Procedures 2018, not the amendments done later.
Clause I required immediate deposit and reporting of all gifts.
Bulgari Italy, according to invoices, was estimated at a cost of €300,000 and €80,000. It was undervalued, which caused a loss of Rs 32.85 million to the national exchequer. Earrings and necklace were assessed at Rs 1.6 million combined. However, the claimed actual value exceeded Rs 71 million.
It was maintained by the prosecution that the gifts were not managed and declared in accordance with relevant rules, and it is a public trust matter.
It is very important to note that this case was an enforcement of the law and not a case of political victimisation.
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