Significant Legal Victory for Imran Khan in Toshakhana Case
Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has achieved a significant legal triumph in the Toshakhana case. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has taken the step of temporarily suspending the sentence that was previously handed down to Imran Khan in connection to a case involving state gifts. Moreover, the court has issued an order for his release on bail.
This verdict brings immense relief to Imran Khan and his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The Toshakhana case revolves around allegations of receiving opulent vehicles and other valuable gifts from foreign dignitaries during a period when Imran Khan was not in a public office.
The IHC's determination to halt the sentence and grant bail signifies a noteworthy development in the ongoing legal proceedings linked to this case.
Major Legal Victory for Imran Khan in Toshakhana Case
In a significant legal triumph, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has suspended the sentence that was imposed on former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case.
The IHC has ordered the release of Imran Khan, who has been held at Attock jail, following the announcement of a concise verdict that was reserved a day earlier.
While the detailed reasons for the suspension of the sentence will be provided in the upcoming detailed verdict, this crucial judgment comes in response to Imran Khan's plea challenging his conviction and sentence in the Toshakhana case.
Earlier, the former Prime Minister was arrested on August 5 after a district and sessions court in the federal capital found him guilty of corrupt practices linked to the state gift repository, resulting in a three-year jail sentence.
Following his arrest, Imran Khan lodged a petition in the high court against the decision of Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Humayun Dilawar, who had convicted him in the Toshakhana case filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
After a series of hearings, the IHC's division bench, composed of Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, reserved the verdict on the matter.
Both sides presented their arguments during the proceedings. The PTI's counsel focused on aspects including the suspension of Imran Khan's sentence and jurisdictional defects to support their plea.
The electoral body's lawyer countered the objections, asserting the maintainability of the ECP's complaint, and highlighting the nature of the witnesses presented by the defence.
Amid the anticipation of the Toshakhana verdict, the PTI filed a new plea to prevent authorities from arresting Imran Khan in any case. The plea sought to restrict the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), National Accountability Bureau, and police from taking further action against Khan.
Understanding Toshakhana
Established in 1974, Toshakhana — a Persian term meaning "treasure house" — operates under the Cabinet Division and stores precious gifts given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats, and officials by foreign heads of governments, states, and dignitaries as a gesture of goodwill.
The Toshakhana holds a wide array of valuables, including bulletproof cars, gold-plated souvenirs, paintings, watches, ornaments, rugs, and swords. The rules governing Toshakhana allow government officials to retain gifts of low value, while they must pay a significantly reduced fee to keep extravagant items.
The Toshakhana Case
The Toshakhana case garnered attention due to allegations that Imran Khan purchased gifts received during his premiership at low rates and subsequently sold them for substantial profits.
The case revolved around accusations that Khan misused his position to buy and sell gifts worth over Rs140 million ($635,000) received from foreign dignitaries during his tenure as Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022.
Among the gifts were watches reportedly given by a royal family, which were allegedly sold in Dubai. The controversy prompted the National Assembly Speaker to refer the matter to the Election Commission for investigation.
In October 2022, the Election Commission declared Imran Khan guilty of corrupt practices, leading to a series of legal proceedings that culminated in the recent developments.
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