ISLAMABAD: In the latest development in the Toshakhana case, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has converted the inquiry against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan pertaining to the alleged sale of state gift depository presents into investigation.
The former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan is facing charges of corrupt practices relating to the state gift depository — allegations which he denies. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had, in October last year, disqualified Khan in the Toshakhana reference under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution for making “false statements and incorrect declaration”.
He was barred from holding public office after being found guilty of unlawfully selling gifts received from foreign dignitaries and heads of state. A trial court then, in May this year, rejected the petition of Imran Khan challenging the maintainability of the reference.
Not only that, but the court also indicted Imran Khan, who denied all the allegations levelled against him. He was the first prime minister in Pakistan to be voted out of office through a parliamentary vote.
The NAB has now summoned the PTI chief in a personal capacity on Monday (July 17) to collect the report of the inquiry.
According to the call-up notice issued by the anti-graft watchdog Rawalpindi office on Friday, the accountability bureau stated that in the light of the evidence collected and statements of witnesses, the inquiry proceedings against Imran Khan had been converted into an investigation by the authority.
The call-up notice directed Imran Khan to join the investigation and appear before the combined investigation team in person at 10am on Monday and collect the report of the inquiry as per Section 18 of NAPO, 1999.
Meanwhile, a trial court in Islamabad is also holding proceedings on the matter after upholding the maintainability of the Toshakhana case against Imran Khan.
Amendment in NAB law
It may be noted that the anti-graft watchdog has gained the powers to detain an accused for 30 days under a new amendment made to the NAB laws few days back.
Acting President Sadiq Sanjrani signed the NAB (Amendment) Ordinance-2023 in the dead of night on July 4 after the federal cabinet’s approval.
The ordinance empowers the NAB chairman to issue arrest warrants for the accused for non-cooperation during investigations.
