NAB Initiates Graft Reference Against IK & Bushra Bibi in Toshakhana Case

In a significant development on Tuesday, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has filed a reference with the accountability court against former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in connection with the Toshakhana case.

Following the filing of the reference, the registrar’s office of the accountability court will proceed with further actions after scrutinizing the case. The NAB Rawalpindi, acting on allegations of graft, has named only two accused in the reference: Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.

NAB prosecutor Sohail Arif, accompanied by Investigation Officer Mohsin Haroon, submitted the reference to the registrar’s office for further legal proceedings.

This development follows the rejection of NAB’s request for an extended physical remand of Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case by the accountability court on Saturday. The court, dismissing the bureau’s plea, declared a 21-day judicial remand for the former PTI chairman, with the hearing adjourned until January 6.

The accusations revolve around Khan and Bushra allegedly retaining gifts received during official visits to foreign countries while Imran Khan served as the prime minister. Instead of following the prescribed official protocol by depositing these gifts in the Toshakhana, the couple purportedly kept them and contributed an amount less than the stipulated value into the national treasury.

Bushra, in particular, is accused of holding on to various jewelry items received as gifts during official visits. The list of allegedly retained gifts includes a locket, two rings, two ear tops, and two bracelets received on June 26, 2019. In 2020, she reportedly acquired a diamond-studded gold necklace, ring, bracelet, and ear tops. The list expanded in 2021 with the addition of a necklace, earrings, ring, and bracelet.