What Is Toshakhana case that has reshaped Pakistan politics? Has it finished Imran Khan’s political career?
The Toshakhana case, which led to Imran Khan’s conviction, involves allegations of foreign gifts, questionable valuations and political targeting.
Bushra Bibi and Imran Khan. (File Image)
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has warned of a nationwide turmoil after a special court of Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency sentenced former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison in the second Toshakhana case. This case, which changed the country’s politics in a way that no high-profile case had ever done before, also raised many questions.
Derived from the Persian words “Toshak” meaning “treasure” and “Khana” meaning “house”, this word means “treasure house” and refers to a safe place or government office where high-ranking officials keep the valuable gifts they receive from foreign dignitaries. Its origins go back to Mughal traditions.
Imran Khan in Toshakhana case
The cricketer-turned-politician and his wife were accused in three toshakhana cases. Imran Khan admitted to selling four gifts he received as prime minister of Pakistan in September 2022. The gifts included a Graff watch, four Rolex watches, several cufflinks, a ring and an expensive pen. He allegedly pocketed more than PKR 36 million by selling these things in the open market. The Election Commission of Pakistan disqualified him under Article 63(1)(p) on October 21, 2022.
(Imran Khan is released on bail in a corruption case.)
His political opponents and those from the coalition government, such as Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha and others, filed the first toshakhana reference case in August 2022. They alleged that Khan did not disclose information about gifts deposited to Toshakhana from various heads of state and the income he received from selling them. The Islamabad court in August 2023 found Imran Khan guilty of “corrupt practices” under Section 174 of the Electoral Act and sentenced him to three years in prison and a fine of Rs 100,000. However, a two-member bench of the Islamabad High Court stayed Khan’s conviction and three-year prison sentence and ordered his release on bail.
(Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were convicted in the Toshakhana case.)
Prison sentence for Imran Khan
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) filed another toshakhana reference case against the former prime minister and his wife Bushra Bibi in December 2023. NAB accused the couple of withholding a jewelery set from the Saudi crown prince due to its undervalued value. NAB filed the third toshakhana reference case against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in July 2024. The office alleged that the couple was in possession of a Bulgari jewelry set (including a necklace, earrings, bracelets and rings) gifted by the Saudi royal family during their visit to Saudi Arabia.
Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana case
Denying the accusations, Imran’s lawyers said that the purchase was in accordance with the 2018 Toshakhana policy. They also alleged that the payments were made based on assessments provided by customs officials and independent appraisers, and that appraiser Sohaib Abbasi was forced to alter his declaration to falsely implicate Khan. Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were formally charged in this Toshakhana case in December 2024. However, the toshakhana cases were under suspicion as international organizations such as the United Nations described the arrest and prosecution as politically motivated.
