Information Minister Marriyum Aurganzeb has said that former prime minister Imran Khan will have to answer for the money he made from selling gifts that he received from foreign dignitaries in his role as head of government.

Addressing a press conference at the Press Information Department in Islamabad, Marriyum said that Imran Khan bought gifts deposited in the Toshakhana (state treasury) at a negligible percentage of face value and then sold them at a higher price.

“It is being said that ‘my gift, my choice’. The gift isn’t yours, it belongs to the state,” she said in reference to former premier’s statement. Imran had stated that whatever gifts he bought from the Toshakhana was on the record and while asking those with any evidence of malpractice in the transaction to come forward.

The Islamabad High Court on Wednesday

In today’s media talk, the information minister claimed that Imran acquired the gifts at 20% of the value and then issued an order claiming that it was at half price.

“Imran Khan made more money from the Toshakhana than in his entire life,” she said while accusing the ousted premier of using his executive power for personal gain.

“You [Imran] made Rs140 miillion in the last years. You will have to provide receipts for the same,” Marriyum continued. “You will also have to answer for the jobs and five million houses that you promised.”

She said the media and parliament was silenced during the tenure of the preceeding government.

Robotic tweets

Speaking about social media campaigns that according to her are targeting state institutions and the incumbent government, she said that the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has been informed about such “robotic tweets”.

We have initiated action against them through relevant agencies, she added.

At least 11 people were recently arrested from Punjab for running “propaganda” campaigns against sensitive agencies.