Khan’s state gifts case nears conclusion as he calls supporters to protest

The state gifts (Toshakhana) case against Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, entered its closing stages on Monday.

Today, the prosecution concluded its arguments after recording statements from its last two witnesses - NAB investigator Mohsin Haroon and FIA officer Shahid Parvez - whose cross-examination by the defense is scheduled for September 24.

Known as Toshakhana II, the case follows an earlier Toshakhana investigation and focuses on whether Khan and Bushra Bibi properly declared and deposited luxury gifts received from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman into the state repository.

The Toshakhana II case is one of several legal challenges Khan has faced since his ouster in 2022, including a recent indictment accusing him of inciting attacks on the military during anti-government protests. Khan and his party maintain that these cases are politically motivated efforts to sideline him from politics.

Out of 20 witnesses in total, cross-examinations for 18 have already been completed. Both Khan and Bushra Bibi were present in court, accompanied by Khan’s three sisters and Bushra Bibi’s sister-in-law.

The hearing, conducted inside Adiala Jail, was presided over by Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand.

Khan’s family calls case bogus

Speaking to reporters afterward, Khan’s sister Aleema Khan shared messages from her brother. She claimed that “one of the witnesses in the Toshakhana case has been proven false,” arguing that this should undermine the prosecution’s case.

She further relayed Khan’s criticism of what he described as the theft of his electoral mandate: “We were given a two-thirds majority, but our votes were stolen. Convicted criminals were imposed on the nation.”

Khan also condemned the 26th constitutional amendment, which he said curbed judicial independence, declaring: “Through this amendment, the judiciary has been completely suppressed. Judges who stand for the rule of law are the nation’s heroes.”

He called on Pakistanis to attend a rally on September 27, describing it as “a rally for the nation’s freedom,” and instructed his party not to engage in backchannel talks with the military, saying, “Whoever wants to talk should come to jail.”

The court will resume hearings on September 24 with the cross-examination of the final investigators.

The case

The case centers on whether Khan and Bushra Bibi failed to deposit gifts from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman into the state’s Toshakhana repository. Earlier testimony by former military secretary Brigadier (retired) Muhammad Ahmad indicated that the couple instructed him not to submit luxury gifts, including a Bulgari jewelry set, perfume oils, dates, olive oil, and a book.

Ahmad testified that he had followed protocol by documenting the items and informing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but that Khan had directed otherwise.

The FIA later assessed that the jewelry set’s original value exceeded 70 million rupees, while Khan had it privately appraised at 5.9 million rupees and deposited only 2.9 million rupees into the national treasury. The prosecution argues that this constituted deliberate undervaluation, while the defense insists the process was lawful.