In Islamabad, an accountability court issued a notice to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday regarding the post-arrest bail petition of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi. The couple is facing allegations from NAB for allegedly retaining an expensive Bvlgari jewelry set from Toshakhana at a significantly reduced price.
Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are seeking bail in the case filed by NAB last week. They have also requested interim bail until their post-arrest bail petition is resolved. Judge Nasir Javed Rana of the accountability court has summoned the case records from NAB and adjourned the hearing until August 30.
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NAB’s reference states that the Bvlgari jewelry set, which includes a ring, bracelet, necklace, and earrings, was gifted to Bushra Bibi by the Saudi royal family during a visit to the kingdom in May 2021. The bureau claims that the couple illegally retained the jewelry set.
According to the investigation, on May 18, 2021, the then Deputy Military Secretary to the Prime Minister, Col Rehan Mohammad, requested the Toshakhana section officer to appraise the set’s value. Imran Khan had expressed his intention to retain the gift and officially record it.
The reference notes that the Bvlgari jewelry set was sold to the Saudi government in May 2018 for 300,000 euros, with the earrings priced at 80,000 euros. NAB asserts that by May 2021, the jewelry set’s value had exceeded Rs. 75 million, and more than Rs. 35.7 million, representing 50% of this amount, was not deposited into the treasury. NAB also alleges that Imran Khan retained 58 out of 108 gifts received from foreign dignitaries during his tenure.
