Rawalpindi:
Two more witnesses of prosecution gave on Tuesday their testimonies in a case related to the alleged misuse of the official rules of the gift repository by the founder of PTI Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi during the previous mandate as a prime minister.
The special central judge Shahrukh Arjumand held the hearing of the case in a courtroom within the central prison of Rawalpindi popularly known as Adiala Cail. Both Imran and Bushra, who are detained in the center of the prison, attended the audience.
After the testimonies, Imran’s lawyer, Arshad Tabriz, interrogated both witnesses. Bushra Bibi’s lawyer, Qosain Faisal Mufti, will interrogate witnesses at the next hearing.
Bushra Bibi had refused to attend the last hearing of the case, also called Toshakhana II case, despite the repeated calls by the court. Later, the judge had warned that he canceled his bail in the case.
The court will resume the hearing on June 11.
According to the charges, Imran misused his position to acquire a set of Bulgari jewels that the Saudi heir prince presented as a gift during the couple’s visit to Saudi Arabia between May 7 and 10, 2021.
The set included a ring, bracelet, necklace and a couple of earrings. According to the evidence gathered during the investigation, Imran and Bushra illegally retained the set.
On May 18, 2021, the deputy military secretary informed the Toshakhana section officer about the need to evaluate and declare the price of the gift, but was not deposited.
Bulgari sold the necklace for 300,000 euros and the earrings for 80,000 euros to a Saudi franchise on May 25, 2018. However, the price of the bracelet and the ring could not be determined.
As of May 28, 2021, the total estimated value of the Bulgari jewelry set was approximately RS75,661,600. The necklace was only valued at RS56,496,000, and earrings at RS15,065,600.
