Imran Khan, the leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has faced a fresh legal setback, even after being granted bail in the Toshakhana case. The Rawalpindi police registered a new case against him late Wednesday, following his release in a different matter.
Thanks to the Islamabad High Court (IHC), Imran was granted bail in the Toshakhana case, where he was accused of mishandling state gifts. The court set his bail conditions at two surety bonds of Rs1 million each. Following this, it was confirmed that he no longer had any open cases in Islamabad’s jurisdiction.
However, Rawalpindi police wasted no time in lodging another case. They arrived at Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan is being held, to formally arrest him. A police spokesperson revealed that an anti-terrorism court will hear the new charges, and the police plan to seek physical remand of the former prime minister.
This new case stems from a PTI-led protest on September 27, where Imran is accused of provoking violence and damaging public property. The FIR was filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), accusing him of inciting riots and destruction during the demonstration.
The protest, which turned violent, led to several PTI figures being named as co-accused. Among them are Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Seemabia Tahir, and Amir Mughar. The FIR mentions five individuals arrested at the scene, including Khalil, Imran, Sadaqat, Yaseen, and Tahir. One suspect, Tahir, was found with a petrol bottle.
Charges against the protestors include terrorism, attempted murder, and vandalism. According to the FIR, protestors blocked roads, set tires on fire, and harassed the public. There were also violent clashes with the police, including stone-throwing and attacks with iron rods. Several police vehicles, including one belonging to the SP Rawal, were damaged, and a police officer was injured by flying glass. The FIR further claims that protestors seized government firearms and fired them into the air, causing panic.
Earlier this year, on July 13, Imran and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were arrested in connection with a different case. They were later acquitted of charges related to an un-Islamic marriage case, also known as the iddat case. Bushra, who had spent several months in jail, was freed last month after serving time in connection with the Toshakhana case.
In the Toshakhana case, the main allegation involves gifts received by the couple during Imran’s tenure as prime minister. A particular set of jewelry, which Bushra Bibi received from the Saudi royal family, is at the center of the controversy. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) claims that the jewelry, which should have been deposited in the Toshakhana, was kept by the former first couple.
The jewelry, valued at over Rs70 million, included a necklace, earrings, a bracelet, and a ring. However, the couple only paid a fraction of the estimated value, resulting in a loss to the national treasury. NAB estimates the loss to be Rs35 million due to undervaluation of the items.
While Imran Khan and his wife are facing numerous legal challenges, the latest case is a fresh complication in their ongoing battle with the law.
