In the Toshakhana case, a district and sessions court in Pakistan sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan to three years in prison. The lawsuit involves the unauthorised sale of official gifts. He has also been barred from engaging in politics for the next five years.
According to Geo News, former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested from his Zaman Park mansion in Lahore following his conviction in the Toshakhana case. According to Dawn, the trial court deemed the charges against him in the case to be proven during the hearing presided over by Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Humayun Dilawar.
“Imran Khan deliberately submitted fake details to the ECP and is found guilty of corrupt practises,” he stated, and sentenced the PTI leader to three years in prison under Section 174 of the Election Act.
In preparation for today’s hearings, a large police contingent was stationed outside the courthouse, restricting entry to only lawyers, who were allowed to enter the courtroom.
The latest development comes after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) overturned the session court’s decision in the Toshakhana reference against the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The IHC found the reference to be maintainable and directed the lower court to rehear the case.
Earlier, on August 2, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) postponed the former Pakistan Prime Minister’s indictment in the Toshakhana case, according to Dawn, a Pakistan-based news site.
Earlier on July 3, Imran Khan lashed out at the Shehbaz Sharif administration, stating that the administration “made a plan” to put him in jail and that the entire drama surrounding his arrest was “pre-planned.”
In response to the allegations in the Toshakhana case, Khan stated that the presents were sold “as per the rules” and that everything was recorded in FDR.
“According to the law, when the Prime Minister, President, or Army Chief receive gifts, they are delivered to Toshakhana, where they are valued.” An FDR is used, with a beginning value and subsequently an appraisal. If there is any excess value, the opportunity to purchase is provided. This is the law. As a result of this, I accepted numerous gifts while rejecting others. Whatever I sold is recorded in FBR and subject to capital gains tax. What is the problem here? In addition, NAB, Election Commission, and FIR are all filed in this matter. “It’s simply not possible that three cases are being run on the same issue,” he had previously stated.
What is Toshaskhana?
The Toshakhana issue is centred on charges that the previous Pakistan Prime Minister purposefully withheld information about gifts he received from the Toshakhana during his term. The Toshakhana is a depository for gifts given by foreign officials to government authorities. The complaint involves allegations of selling the presents and failing to disclose the revenues.
According to Dawn, the case was launched by parliamentarians from the ruling party and is based on a criminal complaint submitted by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Toshakhana rules
Individuals subject to these laws are obligated by Toshakhana guidelines to report gifts and similar things received to the Cabinet Division. Notably, Imran Khan, the Chairman of the PTI, has been involved in various legal matters involving his possession of gifts, and he has also been disqualified by the electoral board as a result of this issue.
On May 9, this year, former Prime Minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan was detained from inside the High Court in Islamabad by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on corruption charges related to the Al-Qadir Trust, which he co-owns with his wife, Bushra Bibi.
Following Khan’s arrest, his party called for protests, several of which turned violent. The administration resorted to a crackdown, with several arrests made around the country. Military courts are hearing the cases of those accused in the May 9 violence.
