[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued notices to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Monday seeking responses to its investigation into the Toshakhana (gift depository) case while the case is still pending.
The high court reserved its decision on an application filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s wife, former first lady Bushra Bibi, challenging NAB summons notices.
The hearing was presided over by Chief Justice (CJ) IHC Aamer Farooq and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer, Khwaja Haris, claimed that the NAB notices were incomplete.
Also Read: Bushra Bibi moves IHC against NAB in Toshakhana Case
“They’re issuing notices stating that powers were abused without specifying who abused their powers and at what level,” Haris said.
The lawyer contended that the NAB was required by law to provide information about why someone was summoned, but the notices “merely state that the enquiry is against public office holders.”
“The questionnaire seeks answers, but the charges have yet to be detailed,” he added, emphasising that summons orders can only be issued once it is clear whether the concerned party is being summoned as an accused or a witness.
He also stated that the orders were issued just one day after former NAB chief Aftab Sultan resigned, revealing “that there was pressure on him.”
Notably, the petitioner had asked the court to declare the February 16 and 17 notices illegal.
She had asked that the NAB enquiry not be converted into an investigation until a decision was made on the application, in which NAB was also named a party.
Also Read: NAB calls Bushra Bibi tomorrow in Toshakhana case.
On March 21, the anti-graft watchdog summoned Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana case.
Previously, on March 9, the accountability watchdog summoned the PTI chief and his wife to their Rawalpindi office for an investigation into the Toshakhana case.
Imran’s summons was delivered to his homes in Islamabad, Bani Gala and Chak Shehzad.
According to the notice, Imran violated the law by selling gifts received during his tenure, including four Rolex watches, an iPhone given to him by the Qatar Armed Forces in 2018, as well as valuable watches and other gifts.
Because of clashes between police and PTI workers outside the Islamabad Judicial Complex, Additional District and Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal cancelled the arrest warrants issued against the former premier in the Toshakhana case on March 18, allowing him to leave after marking his attendance without being indicted.
It should be noted that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) disqualified the PTI chief in October last year when it announced its verdict in the Toshakhana reference.
Imran’s National Assembly seat was declared vacant by a four-member ECP bench after it was unanimously decided that he had misled officials about the gifts he received from foreign dignitaries during his tenure as prime minister.
According to the written ruling, the PTI chief violated the provisions of sections 137, 167, and 173 of the Elections Act, 2017, by submitting a “false statement” and “incorrect declaration” to the ECP in the details of his assets and liabilities filed by him for the fiscal year 2020-21.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
