Court grants bail to Pakistan's ex-PM Imran, orders release in Toshakhana case

Tariq Butt, Correspondent

Just three days before his planned protest in the federal capital, incarcerated former prime minister and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan granted bail by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the New Toshakhana (state gifts) case on Wednesday.

It was a mere coincidence or something else that the bail was announced by the IHC when a meeting of PTI’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali was in progress in the Adiala Jail Rawalpindi with Imran Khan through a special arrangement made by the government for unexplained reasons.

This was the second meeting that Gandapur held with Imran Khan in as many as days, which indicated that talks are on between the two sides to get the Nov. 24 protest cancelled and to ease the overall confrontation between the two sides.

IHC's Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb accepted Imran Khan's bail plea against two surety bonds worth Rs1 million each, which must be submitted by separate guarantors.

The PTI founder is no longer wanted in any other case within Islamabad's jurisdiction following the latest development.

Meanwhile, the IHC ordered the ousted prime minister to appear before the trial court following the bail. "The bail can be cancelled if you do not cooperate with the trial court,” the judge said.

During the hearing, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) prosecutor voiced concerns over media narratives, claiming that reports had prematurely suggested the approval of bail. Justice Aurangzeb advised the prosecutor to disregard media speculation, emphasising that the court's decisions would not be influenced by such narratives.

The judge remarked on certain claims made in the media, questioning their credibility. He also inquired about the valuation of a jewellery set, asking how its worth was determined.

Barrister Salman Safdar, representing the PTI founder, responded that the prosecution was responsible for clarifying this matter in court. He also highlighted discrepancies in the receipts, noting that the receipts in question were issued in the name of Bushra Bibi, not the PTI founder.

The defence argued that the prosecution's case relied on testimonies from key witnesses such as Sohaib Abbasi, who had been granted pardon and declared an approver in the case.

Barrister Safdar clarified that Abbasi alleged threats from the PTI founder but denied any direct interaction with either the PTI founder or his wife.

The court further asked whether customs officers involved in the valuation had mentioned any intimidation, to which the defence replied that no such claims had been made by these officials.

The FIA prosecutor argued that the Bulgari jewellery set was not deposited in the Toshakhana and alleged that its undervaluation caused financial harm to the state.

Justice Aurangzeb asked how the PTI founder benefited from the undervaluation, to which the prosecutor responded that his wife’s gain inherently benefited him as well. The judge dismissed this logic, questioning such assumptions. "My wife's things are not mine. I don't know what year are we living in."

Barrister Safdar defended his client by stating that all gifts were acquired under the Toshakhana policy of 2018, and the valuation was conducted according to the law. He added that payments were made as per the policy, and no wrongdoing was evident. Justice Aurangzeb noted that the previous government had withheld Toshakhana details, despite inquiries from the court.

The prosecution highlighted the conduct of the accused during trial proceedings, alleging delay tactics. The FIA prosecutor presented evidence that Abbasi had submitted an apology for undervaluing the set, which was accepted by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman.