Explainer: What is Toshakhana case?

In another significant setback for embattled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were handed a 14-year jail sentence by an accountability court on Wednesday in connection with the Toshakhana case.

The legal troubles for the PTI founder intensify, as the court not only imposed a rigorous imprisonment but also disqualified Khan from holding any public office for the next 10 years. Additionally, the couple was fined Rs1.573 billion as part of the judgment.

So, here is all the detail about the aforementioned reference.

Background of Toshakhana case:

1. Allegations against Imran Khan:

   • Imran Khan, a former cricketer-turned-politician, faced accusations of misusing his 2018 to 2022 premiership to buy and sell gifts in state possession
     
     
   • The gifts, including watches given by a royal family, were alleged to have been purchased at throwaway rates during his tenure as prime minister and sold in the open market for significant profits
     
     

2. Value of gifts and allegations:

   • The total worth of the gifts was claimed to be more than Rs140 million ($635,000)
   • Notable items included seven wristwatches, with the most expensive being a "Master Graff limited edition" valued at 85 million Pakistani rupees ($385,000)
     
     

3. Legal proceedings:

   • The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) declared Imran Khan guilty of corrupt practices in October 2022
     
     
   • Imran Khan faced disqualification under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution for making false statements and incorrect declarations about the gifts
     
     
   • The Islamabad High Court (IHC) played a pivotal role in the legal proceedings, overturning rulings, directing reexamination, and ultimately announcing a verdict

Timeline of the Toshakhana case:

• October 2022:
  
  ECP declared Imran Khan guilty of corrupt practices and filed a complaint in an Islamabad court.

• May 10, 2023:
  
  Trial court indicted Imran Khan, rejecting his petition to declare the case inadmissible.

• July 4, 2023:
  
  IHC overturned the trial court's ruling and directed a rehearing within seven days.

• July 8, 2023:
  
  ADSJ Dilawar declared the Toshakhana case against Khan as maintainable.
  
  

  

• August 2, 2023:
  
  Trial court rejected the list of witnesses presented by Imran Khan, challenging its relevance in criminal proceedings.

• August 4, 2023:
  
  IHC Chief Farooq referred the matter back to the trial court for reexamination of jurisdiction and procedural lapses.

• August 5, 2023:
  
  Trial court found Imran Khan guilty of misdeclaration of state gifts.

• August 29, 2023:
  
  

  IHC suspends Imran Khan's sentence in case of corrupt practices linked to state gift repository
  
  

ToshaKhana and auction procedures:

1. Tosha Khana functionality

   • Tosha Khana is a government department where valuable gifts received by rulers or high officials on visits abroad are collected.

2. Gift valuation and auction

   • Gifts worth less than 30 thousand rupees can be kept for free, while those worth more can be purchased by depositing 50% of the fixed price.
   • Auctions, according to Tosha Khana rules, are supposed to be held annually, but the frequency depends on the number of gifts received.

3. Auction Beneficiaries

   • The first claim on these gifts is for the recipient; if not taken, an auction is held for government employees and army personnel.
   • Any unsold items may be auctioned to the general public.
     
     

Other cases and rulers

1. Other rulers facing Toshakhana cases

   • Former Prime Ministers Nawaz Sharif and Yusuf Raza Gilani, along with former President Asif Ali Zardari, are facing trials for illegally receiving gifts from Toshakhana.

2. NAB references

   • NAB references include allegations of illegal purchase of valuable cars from Toshakhana, involving collusion and partnership by leaders of political parties.

3. Specific allegations against Asif Ali Zardari

   • Asif Ali Zardari is accused of buying an armored car and other vehicles from Tosha Khana using money from alleged fake bank accounts.