ISLAMABAD: An accountability court on Monday barred the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from pursuing a graft case against former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Khan, and ordered its transfer to another court, local media reported.
The case, also called the new Toshakhana reference, came to the fore after the accountability watchdog arrested the couple following their acquittal in an illegal marriage case on July 13. It pertains to a jewelry set, comprising a ring, bracelet, necklace a pair of earrings worth over €380,000 (Rs138 million), gifted to the former first lady by a foreign dignitary that was allegedly undervalued by the couple and retained against a lesser price.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan last week restored amendments to the country’s anti-graft laws approved in 2022, limiting NAB’s jurisdiction to cases involving corruption of over Rs500 million, reducing the term of the chairman of the bureau and prosecutor general to three years and transferring all pending inquiries, investigations and trials to other authorities.
On Monday, Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Ali Warraich heard post-arrest bail applications of Khan and his wife in the new Toshakhana case after they were brought before the court from jail, Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper reported.
“The court declared that following the NAB amendments, the reference in question ceased to come under the anti-graft body’s jurisdiction, therefore, it will now be transferred to the FIA court, which will rule on bail,” the report read.
Khan had petitioned the top court against the amendments, claiming they were brought to benefit the influential, including top politicians, and would legitimize corruption in the country.
Interestingly, Khan, who has been in jail since August last year on a slew of charges, has become a direct beneficiary of the restored amendments after being able to move the courts for his acquittal in at least two major corruption cases, namely a land bribe case involving a 190-million-pound bribe and the investigation involving the illegal sale of state gifts.
“It’s safe to say new Toshakhana [state gifts] case against Imran Khan can no longer continue as it exceeds Rs500 million cap, making it ineffective, as per the new amendments,” Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party said last week after the Supreme Court approved the amendments. “It will also impact the £190 million case.”
The ex-premier was convicted in four cases. Two of the cases have since been suspended and he was acquitted in the remaining two, including the illegal marriage case.
Khan’s convictions had ruled the 71-year-old out of the February general elections as convicted felons cannot run for public office under the Pakistani law. Arguably Pakistan’s most popular politician, Khan says the cases against him are “politically motivated,” aimed at keeping him from returning to power. Pakistani authorities deny this.
The ex-premier is also facing multiple cases relating to May 9, 2023 protests, which saw his supporters attack government and military installations over his brief arrest in a graft case.
Court orders transfer of graft case against ex-PM Khan after changes to Pakistan accountability laws
https://arab.news/4bpvz
Court orders transfer of graft case against ex-PM Khan after changes to Pakistan accountability laws
- Supreme Court last week restored amendments to anti-graft laws, limiting accountability watchdog’s jurisdiction to graft cases of over Rs500 mln
- Interestingly, Khan, who had petitioned the top court against the changes, has become a direct beneficiary of the restored amendments to the laws
At Gulfood expo, minister urges Pakistani firms to boost exports to end reliance on foreign debt
- The Dubai expo brought together more than 8,500 exhibitors from 195 countries, showcasing over 1.5 million food and beverage products
- Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal says Islamabad is committed to promoting productivity, quality and innovation within the private sector
ISLAMABAD: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday urged Pakistani companies participating in the Gulfood food and beverage exhibition in Dubai to expand exports and focus on value-added products, saying it was the only way for Pakistan to end reliance on foreign debt.
Gulfood’s 31st edition, being held in Dubai from Jan. 26 till Jan. 30, has brought together more than 8,500 exhibitors from 195 countries, showcasing over 1.5 million food and beverage products across 12 sectors, making it one of the most influential platforms for global agri-food trade.
Pakistan has made its largest-ever showing at the world’s leading food and beverage trade exhibition, with a total of 142 Pakistani companies participating in the 2026 edition, according to a statement from the Ministry of Information released this week.
On Thursday, Iqbal visited toured various stalls and interacted with exhibitors at Pakistan Pavilion at the exhibition and encouraging them to focus on enhancing exports and value-addition, Pakistan’s Press Information Department (PID) said.
“If we are to permanently free ourselves from reliance on the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and foreign debt, there is only one way forward, promoting and expanding our exports,” he was quoted as saying. “I am particularly encouraged to see that Pakistani exporters are now focusing on value added products.”
Pakistan has struggled with boom-bust cycles for decades and secured 22 IMF bailouts since 1958. The country is currently navigating a long, tricky path to economic recovery under a $7 billion IMF program secured in Sept. 2024.
Pakistan has been increasingly using global trade exhibitions to promote value-added food exports, particularly to Gulf and Middle Eastern markets, which remain among the country’s largest destinations for rice, meat and processed food products.
Of the 142 Pakistani firms, 67 companies are participating under the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), while 75 companies are taking part independently, across four specialized pavilions covering rice, pulses and grains, world food, beverages, and meat and poultry. Notably, 30 rice exporters are participating under TDAP, underlining Pakistan’s position as one of the world’s leading rice suppliers.
Iqbal visited the Biryani Festival stall at Pakistan Pavilion and appreciated the initiative to showcase and promote Pakistani Basmati rice.
“We are committed to promoting productivity, quality, and innovation within the private sector so that ‘Made in Pakistan’ becomes a global symbol of quality, and Pakistani products are visible on every stall, in every shop, and on every shelf across international markets,” he said.
