NAB Files New Toshakhana Reference Against Imran, Bushra

APP

Islamabad: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has filed a new reference with the accountability court against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.

The reference alleges that the national exchequer suffered a loss of Rs 32,851,300.

The case revolves around a Bulgarian jewelry set received by Bushra Bibi from the Saudi Crown Prince during her visit to Saudi Arabia from May 7 to 10, 2021. The set includes a ring, a bracelet, a necklace, and a pair of earrings.

According to the reference, the jewelry was not submitted to the Toshakhana despite being reported to the Section Officer Toshakhana on May 18, 2021. The Deputy Military Secretary had informed the Section Officer of the need for assessment and declaration, but the jewelry was kept illegally.

The Bulgarian Company sold the necklace for 300,000 euros and the earrings for 80,000 euros to Franchise Solvent Trading Saudi Arabia on May 25, 2018. The total value of the jewelry set is estimated at Rs 75,661,600 Pakistani rupees. The reference states that, according to Toshakhana rules, the assessed value should have been Rs 35,765,800, resulting in a loss of Rs 32,851,300 to the exchequer.

The reference accuses Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi of violating Section 9 and sub-sections 3, 4, 6, and 12 of the NAB Ordinance 1999. An inquiry was initiated following a board meeting on August 1, 2022, under the direction of the NAB Chairman. It is alleged that Khan and Bibi misused their powers, with Khan retaining 58 out of 108 gifts during his tenure as prime minister.

The investigating officer, Mohsin Haroon, and the case officer, Waqar ul Hasan, submitted the reference to the Accountability Court’s Registrar’s Office in Islamabad. The reference, which includes a list of 22 witnesses, will be sent to the administrative judge after document scrutiny.

Currently, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are in judicial remand after 37 days of physical remand.