Toshakhana Case

Former Prime Minister and Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is currently facing Toshakhana case in which a new development witnessed as a businessman claimed that he has bought the watch from him. While giving an interview to a local media outlet, the said businessman told the whole story that how Farah Gogi, Shehazad Akbar and others contacted him and sold the gifts which were given to former PM Imran Khan during his visit to Saudi Arabia. This interview sparked a new discussion in the country.
The Toshakhana case over the sale of state gifts received by Imran Khan became a major sticking point in national politics after the Election Commission of Pakistan disqualified the PTI chief for making “false statements and incorrect declaration”. A number of claims have been made in the interview. Dubai-based businessman Umar Farooq Zahoor claimed that the PTI government sold an expensive Graff wristwatch gifted to former premier Imran Khan by Saudi Crown Prince Moham­mad Bin Salman for $2 million, worth approximately Rs280m at the time of sale in 2019.
The gifts mentioned include a diamond MasterGraff Tourbillon Minute Repeater with Makkah map dial GM2751, diamond cufflinks with 2.12ct H IF and 2.11ct I IF round diamonds GR46899, a diamond gent’s ring 7.20cts, VVSl rose gold pen set with pave diamonds and an enamel Makkah Map. Mr Zahoor is said to be an influential business personality and is apparently wanted by Norway, Switzerland, Turkiye and Pakistan since 2009-10 over various financial and other crimes. The businessman also stands accused of taking his minor daughters abroad illegally after obtaining their passports under fictitious names and parentage, even though the Lahore High Court (LHC) had already ordered that his name be placed on the Exit Control List (ECL).
Very charged response witnessed from PTI on the interview of said businessman. The party has announced to take the legal action against the said businessman. In a press conference alongside PTI leader Zulfi Bukhari, PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry said the party has decided to initiate legal proceedings against Zahoor as his claims were baseless. “In 2018, the Saudi crown prince gifted a watch to Imran Khan and the controversy over the watch’s price has been going on for a while now,” the former federal minister said. Chaudhry said the watch was priced at Rs100 million, and in line with the law regulating Toshakhana, Khan sold it for more than Rs50 million in the market and filed capital gain tax on it.
Besides party’s official narrative the party’s head, Imran Khan has also maintained strict stance on the saga. He has announced to file case against the media outlets which aired the interview of Dubai based businessman. Imran Khan categorically said that he will initiate case against the said media outlet not only in Pakistan but also in London and Dubai. He is of the view that the said media outlet is involved in propaganda against the state and he vowed to prove this in the court. Toshakhana case has entered into decisive phase. The recent development in the case apparently seems like a pre planed launching as the character which has brought the case in lame light is basically a controversial figure who has been facing a number of cases in past. The investigation in this case will further bring the reality in front of people. However, media outlets should avoid becoming the party to any case as it badly affects the journalism in the state.