In a significant move ahead of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) scheduled protest on November 24, former Prime Minister Imran Khan was granted bail in the new Toshakhana case by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday.
The court, led by Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, approved Khan’s bail plea after he submitted two surety bonds, each worth Rs1 million, provided by separate guarantors. This development means that Khan is no longer wanted in any other cases within Islamabad’s jurisdiction.
During the hearing, the FIA prosecutor raised concerns over media reports, suggesting that bail approval had been prematurely anticipated. However, Justice Aurangzeb advised the prosecutor to disregard media narratives, asserting that the court’s decisions were independent of such speculations.
The court also questioned the valuation of a Bulgari jewelry set, which was at the center of the case. Barrister Salman Safdar, representing Khan, pointed out discrepancies in the receipts, which were issued in the name of Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, rather than Khan himself. The defence further argued that the case relied heavily on the testimony of Sohaib Abbasi, a key witness who had been granted a pardon in exchange for his cooperation. Abbasi claimed to have been threatened by Khan but denied any direct interaction with him or his wife.
The FIA prosecutor alleged that the Bulgari set had been undervalued, causing financial harm to the state, and not deposited in the Toshakhana. However, Justice Aurangzeb questioned how Khan personally benefited from the undervaluation, dismissing the notion that his wife’s assets would also be his.
The defence countered that all gifts had been acquired in compliance with the Toshakhana policy of 2018 and that payments had been made as required by law. Justice Aurangzeb also noted that Toshakhana records had been withheld by the previous government, despite the court’s inquiries.
The court observed that the case had experienced considerable delays, with over three years passing before the registration of the Toshakhana case. As proceedings continue, this remains a developing story.
