Hearing today on Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi’s Toshakhana case summons

ISLAMABAD: A hearing is set for Wednesday (today) to address petitions contesting the summoning of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana reference case.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will consider petitions challenging the summons as part of the new inquiry initiated by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Read more: Toshakhana case: fresh investigation launched against Imran, Bushra

The objections raised by the IHC Registrar’s Office on both applications has been addressed. In their petitions, the PTI founder and his spouse requested the suspension of the summon notices until a decision is reached on the petitions.

Chief Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri will oversee the hearing.

Earlier, the NAB initiated an additional inquiry into the case by summoning Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.

The accountability bureau’s summons required the former PM and First Lady to appear in court for investigation on April 16.

Read more: Jail staff sent me back without letting me meet Imran Khan: Zartaj Gul

The renewed focus on the Toshakhana reference case revolves around alleged misappropriation of gifts from foreign dignitaries. The former prime minister and the First Lady have previously faced separate cases related to the Toshakhana or state gift repository.

Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 14-year prison terms, although the Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspended the sentences in April, shortly after their announcement in January 2024.

Toshakhana functions as a governmental department under the purview of the Cabinet Division within the government. The department was founded in 1974 under former PM Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s administration. Toshakhana’s core role entails the collection and maintenance of gifts bestowed upon government officials.