A case was registered against Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi for allegedly violating the Toshakhana rules of gift storage during the Prime Minister’s tenure. Imran appealed for acquittal in that case. However, a trial court in Islamabad rejected Imran’s appeal.
On Thursday, Islamabad Central Court-1 Senior Special Judge Shah Rukh Arjumand gave his order on the petition filed by the PTI founder and his wife during a hearing held inside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail.
Former Prime Minister Imran appeared in the court freshly shaven and wearing a gray sweater. Bushra, who was granted bail in the case last month, did not appear in court.
In a detailed 5-page order, the trial court said the investigation into the case was conducted independently by the NAB. It said that the value of the jewelery Imran had allegedly acquired in violation of the rules was said to be very high. This has been confirmed by jewelery maker Bulgari.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, an IHC bench comprising Chief Justice Amer Farooq and Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb heard the plea of Imran and his wife seeking to set aside the January 31 order of the trial court in the Toshakhana-1 case. The IHC stayed the trial court’s order on April 1.
Barrister Ali Zafar appeared on behalf of the PTI founder and his wife. Special Prosecutor Amjad Parvez and Prosecutor Rafiq Maqsood represented NAB in the court.
During the hearing, Parvez said that he personally disagreed with the way the Toshakhana case was settled. That is why he had earlier called for the suspension of PTI founder and Bushra Bibi’s sentence. He also requested the court to set aside the order of the trial court and remand for retrial.
Later, on the request of NAB, the court asked Barrister Ali Zafar to consult with Imran and Bushra. and adjourned the hearing till November 21.
