IHC grants Imran Khan bail in Toshakhana Case, Government rules out release

English , Pakistan - پاکستان , Snippets , / Wednesday, November 20th, 2024

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The Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted bail to former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case on Wednesday, while the government ruled out his immediate release. The court, led by Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, approved post-arrest bail for Imran, contingent upon the submission of bail bonds worth Rs 1 million with two sureties.

However, the ruling does not guarantee Imran’s release, as he faces multiple ongoing cases where bail has yet to be granted. The Lahore High Court (LHC) also rejected a request for his pre-arrest bail in related matters.

Imran, arrested on July 13, 2023, in the latest Toshakhana case, is accused, alongside his wife Bushra Bibi, of illegally retaining a Bulgari jewellery set gifted by a foreign leader at a significantly undervalued price. While Bushra was granted bail in October, Imran remains in custody, having been jailed since August 5, 2022, in a separate Toshakhana case.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) alleges that the couple retained several gifts, including 58 undervalued ones, leading to a loss of Rs 142 million to the national exchequer. Despite arguments that the gifts were legally retained under the Toshakhana policy, the prosecution claims the undervaluation of these items resulted in financial harm.

Imran’s lawyer, Barrister Salman Safdar, maintains that the case against his client is politically motivated and that no crime has been committed. The case is ongoing, with the trial court yet to schedule further hearings.

While the bail offer gives some hope, Imran’s release is uncertain due to the other legal challenges he faces.