National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) investigation team has reached Dubai to investigate the Toshakhana case against former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
NAB director Rizwan Ahmed-led four-member team visited the Pakistan Embassy in the UAE as well as some shops. The team is investigating the Graff Kaaba edition watch and other gifts sold by Imran Khan.
The NAB team has gathered important information regarding the sale of the precious watch, sources said. The team has also visited the house of Umar Farooq, who claimed to buy the watch gifted to the PTI chairman.
It is worth mentioning here that the watch was gifted to Imran Khan by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
NAB Rawalpindi has also summoned Imran Khan in the case on March 09.
Islamabad High Court suspended warrants issued for Imran Khan in the toshakhana case on Tuesday. The reserved verdict was announced by Justice Aamer Farooq.
Imran Khan has now been ordered to present himslef in court on March 13. The sessions court hearing the case has also adjourned proceedings till the same date.
PTI’s lawyers had maintained that there were threats to Imran’s life so he needed time before appearing in person.
The warrants were issued by a sessions court but the PTI chief could not be arrested despite an attempt by police in Lahore on Sunday.
A decision should be made if PTI chief Imran Khan continues to be absent in the hearing of the Toshakhana case, Additional District and Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal said on Tuesday. He is hearing the Toshakhana case in the district and sessions court.
The remarks came after the former prime minister’s counsel replied that his client would not be able to attend the court next week.
When the hearing of the case resumed, the ECP lawyer urged the court to adjourn the proceedings till March 9. “Imran Khan will appear in front of the Islamabad High Court on March 9,” Ranjha said.
Imran’s counsel said that he was informed that it would be easy for his client to be in court next week.
“Which means, Imran Khan does not even want to appear in front of sessions court on March 9,” the judge said.
ADSJ Iqbal added that the court also waiting because perhaps a decision of the Islamabad High Court would come. “If the situation is to remain like this, then a decision should be made. Imran Khan has so far not appeared in person yet,” he added.
It appears that Imran would not appear in front of the district and sessions court even today (Monday), the judge remarked.
PML-N lawmaker Ranja said that the case against Imran has been going on for the past six months.
“The law will be equal for all in Imran Khan’s case. The Toshakhana case will be run after fulfilling all the legal requirements,” ADSJ Iqbal said.
Later, the judge adjourned the hearing of the case till 2pm at the request of Imran’s lawyer.
The guarantor was bound to ensure that PTI chief Imran Khan appears in front of the court, the judge said.
The remarks came when a junior lawyer of Imran Sardar Masroof said he asked: “How to send a notice to the guarantor” and expressed that he was oblivious to the procedure. ADSJ Iqbal had wondered whether the guarantor of Imran appeared in front of the court or not.
PML-N lawmaker Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha and Election Commission of Pakistan lawyer Saad Hasan were also present in the court.
“Is Imran Khan also not appearing today?” the judge asked at the outset of the hearing of the case when the junior lawyer appeared at the court. The counsel replied that he was unaware of the appearance.
Masroof added that the legal team would be here after some time.
“Don’t you have any information on the appearance of Imran Khan,” the judge asked. The counsel replied that the legal team would appear in front of the court at 10am.
Later, the court adjourned the hearing of the case till 10am.
An Islamabad district and sessions court adjourned the hearing of the Toshakhana case till March 7 (today) after issuing non-bailable arrest warrants for him over persistent absences.
Later, the Islamabad police went to Zaman Park, Lahore on Sunday to arrest Imran. But, they returned after sending a notice to the PTI leaders.
The PTI then moved the same court for cancellation of non-bailable arrest warrants, which was rejected by the court—a day before the expected indictment.
An Islamabad district and sessions court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Imran Khan over persistent absences in the Toshakhana case on February 28. Earlier, the court had twice deferred the former premier’s indictment on medical grounds.
Additional District and Sessions Court judge Zafar Iqbal had adjourned the hearing of the case till March 7.
The reference was filed by lawmakers from the ruling coalition, Pakistan Democratic Movement, last year. It alleges that Imran had not shared details of the state gifts he retained from the Toshaskhana (during his time as the prime minister) and proceeds from their reported sales.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) concluded on October 21 that ex-PM Imran had made “false statements and incorrect declarations” regarding the gifts.
The Toshakhana is a department under the Cabinet Division that stores gifts given to rulers and government officials by heads of other governments and foreign dignitaries. According to Toshakhana rules, gifts/presents and other such materials received by persons to whom these rules apply shall be reported to the Cabinet Division.
The country’s top electoral authority’s order had said Imran stood disqualified under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution.
“He is for the time being disqualified from being elected or chosen as a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) or of a Provincial Assembly under any law for the time being in force,” said the law which falls under the Disqualifications for membership of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament).
Later, the ECP approached the Islamabad district and session the court with a copy of the reference. It sought proceedings against Imran under criminal law for allegedly misleading officials about the state gifts he received from foreign dignitaries during his time as the prime minister.
