Imran Khan, wife deny corruption charges in high-profile gifts case

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have recorded their final statements in a high-profile corruption case involving the alleged misuse of expensive state gifts — charges they strongly deny.

The case, known as Toshakhana-II, centers on a luxury Bulgari jewelry set received during Khan’s time in office. Both he and his wife have rejected accusations of undervaluing and unlawfully retaining the items, calling the proceedings politically motivated.

Imran Khan’s statement

In his written response under Section 342 of Pakistan’s Criminal Procedure Code, Khan said the jewelry set was retained after paying the required amount under government rules. He denied any irregularity in its valuation or purchase.

Khan rejected claims that he ordered a former Cabinet Division officer, Inamullah Shah, to undervalue the gifts. He said Shah, who had worked both at the ruling party’s secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office, was fired for receiving dual salaries.

“Even if the prosecution’s claims were hypothetically accepted — that Inamullah undervalued the item, giving me an undue benefit of PKR 3.2 billion in May 2021 — then why did I dismiss him in July 2021 for drawing just PKR 70,000 in excess salary?” Khan said.

He described the case as “factually baseless” and said the contradiction undermined the prosecution’s argument.

On Bulgari set valuation

Responding to the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) claim that Italian authorities valued the jewelry set at more than PKR 700 million, Khan argued the valuation could not be used as evidence.

“NAB has no jurisdiction in this matter, and therefore, any valuation obtained from Italy cannot be presented as admissible evidence,” he stated.

He also accused the NAB chairman of overstepping his authority by granting a pardon to a witness in May 2024, calling the act illegal and void.

Criticism of investigation process

Khan said allegations that he ordered undervaluation through Shah were false and claimed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) failed to conduct a lawful probe. He accused investigators of violating rules and submitting “fabricated reports” in court.

“In the original Toshakhana-I case, neither Inamullah Shah nor Sohaib Abbasi had ever mentioned the Bulgari set,” he said.

Bushra Bibi’s statement

In her recorded statement, Bushra Bibi said she was a “pardah-nasheen woman” — meaning one who observes seclusion — and had no role in political or administrative matters. She denied instructing anyone to alter the valuation of Toshakhana gifts.

She said the Islamabad High Court had already ruled that the FIA lacked jurisdiction in the case. “The same charges cannot be tried repeatedly, as is being done in these Toshakhana cases,” she said.

Imran Khan’s broader defense

Khan argued that the FIA filed this new case only after failing to find evidence in other high-profile cases against him, including those related to prohibited funding and a leaked diplomatic cable known as the “cipher case.”

He maintained that under the 2018 Toshakhana policy, officials could only face action for failing to declare gifts — not for retaining them after paying the assessed value.

“The Toshakhana gifts were received between May 7 and 10, 2021, yet the NAB filed a case much later, despite having no jurisdiction,” Khan said.

He called for acquittal for himself and his wife, describing this as the “fourth fabricated Toshakhana case.”

Khan described Inamullah Shah as an unreliable witness who had been dismissed from government service for dishonesty. “When Inamullah appeared as a witness in the earlier NAB reference, he never mentioned the Bulgari set,” Khan noted.

What’s the case?

Pakistan’s Toshakhana (literally meaning “treasure house”) is a state department that records and regulates gifts received by public officials from foreign dignitaries.

The Toshakhana-II case accuses Khan and his wife of undervaluing luxury items — including the Bulgari set — and keeping them at nominal prices.

Both deny any wrongdoing, insisting that all items were lawfully purchased and that the investigations are politically motivated.