Under arrest, ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan now indicted in Toshakhana case

Islamabad: In more trouble for Imran Khan, the arrested former Pakistan premier was indicted in the Toshakhana case, in which the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf chief is accused of taking gifts in an illegal manner.

Additional Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar, of the Islamabad district and sessions court, framed charges against the former prime minister in the Toshakhana case.

Imran Khan’s lawyers requested for the case to be transferred to another judge, which was rejected.

A counsel said the court wanted to indict Imran Khan, but they boycotted and left the room.

The charge sheet was read out to Imran Khan in the courtroom.

Imran Khan’s lawyer Khawaja Haris told the court they want to record some objections to the case. “A case has never been heard in the Police Lines before,” the lawyer remarked.

The judge refused to bring our objections on record, Haris said, adding that on the judge’s refusal, they decided to boycott the process.

’Imran Khan did not sign the indictment imposed by the court,“ his lawyer Ali Bukhari said.

The prosecution has been ordered to present evidence against Imran Khan on May 13. The court then adjourned the hearing.

Additional Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar indicted the incarcerated PTI chairman in the case for “deliberately concealing” details of the gifts he retained from the Toshaskhana — a repository where presents handed to government officials from foreign officials are kept — during his tenure as the prime minister.

Khan, however, denied the charges and claimed innocence.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had sought proceedings under the criminal law against the former prime minister in the case.

The indictment in the case was pending for a long period of time as the PTI chief had been avoiding appearing before the court.

Last week, the Islamabad court summoned Khan for May 10 to frame charges against him in the case. In its reference, the electoral watchdog alleges that the former premier had “deliberately concealed” details of the gifts he retained from the Toshaskhana.

It should be noted that Khan was not brought to a regular court in the federal capital and his scheduled hearing took place at the location where he was under custody, reports said.

Last year in October, the ECP, in a consensus verdict in Toshakana reference, disqualified the former premier and ruled that he was no more a member of the National Assembly.

On October 22, Khan — who was deposed as the prime minister in April last year via a vote of no confidence — challenged the order of the ECP in the Islamabad High Court, praying to the court to set aside the judgment as the ECP had no jurisdiction over the matter.

Under the rules governing "Toshakhana" — a Persian word meaning "treasure house" — government officials can keep gifts if they have a low worth, while they must pay a dramatically reduced fee to the government for extravagant items, Geo reported.

The Toshakhana is under a microscope ever since the emergence of the allegations that Imran Khan purchased the gifts he received as prime minister at throwaway rates and sold them off in the open market for staggering profits.

The 70-year-old cricketer-turned-politician was accused of misusing his 2018 to 2022 premiership to buy and sell gifts in state possession that were received during visits abroad and worth more than Rs140 million ($635,000).

The gifts included watches given by a royal family, according to government officials, who have alleged previously that Khan's aides sold them in Dubai.

The gifts included seven wristwatches, six made by watchmaker Rolex, and the most expensive a "Master Graff limited edition" valued at 85 million Pakistani rupees ($385,000).

The election commission's order had said Imran stood disqualified under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution.

Following the order, the election watchdog moved the Islamabad sessions court and sought criminal proceedings against him — and the PTI chief has missed several hearings. (UNI)