In a major political and legal development in our neighbouring country, Islamabad based Court has found Imran Khan, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, guilty of corrupt practices under Section 174 of the Election Act. The Trial Court sentenced Imran Khan to three years prison and imposed a monetary fine on him for hiding details of Toshakhana gifts.
A Toshakhana is a repository where presents handed to government officials from foreign officials are kept. It was alleged that during his tenure as Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan had deliberately concealed not only the details of the gifts he retained from the Toshaskhana but also proceeds from their reported sales.
Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in October 2021 had found that the former Prime Minister had made false declarations regarding the gifts. ECP then approached the Islamabad sessions court seeking proceedings against Imran Khan under criminal law for allegedly misleading officials about the gifts he received from foreign dignitaries during his tenure as Prime Minister.
Imran Khan was indicted in the case; however, the Islamabad High Court had stayed the proceeding and directed the Additional District and Sessions Judge to re-examine the matter.
Source: Dawn
Image Source: PEOPLE MAGAZINE
