ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has disclosed that he also took two watches from Toshakhana when he was in power, but they were taken after depositing cash as per the law.
In an exclusive interview with Wenews, the former prime minister said, “I don’t wear a watch. I have a couple of watches, but my son purchased them, and the amount demanded by the (authorities concerned) was paid. They didn’t take any other gifts and kept them there.”
It may be recalled that a case is pending against Imran Khan in a local court in Islamabad for not disclosing the watches taken from the Toshakhana in his assets submitted to the Election Commission of Pakistan.
When Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was asked what gifts he took (from Toshakhana) as a prime minister, he said that government heads get gifts when they go abroad or when a foreign head visits Pakistan.
“Those gifts are not given to you (prime minister), but other government(s) or a person gives it to your military secretary. (These gifts) are deposited in the Toshakhana. (They) write to you that this thing has been gifted to you, if you want to buy it, then this is the cost. You can also see that thing by paying that amount and if you want. It’s usually a watch. These kinds of things happen. If you don’t take it, the Toshakhana (authorities) auction it off.”
‘Becoming PM not the most important moment in life’
When asked what the most triumphant moment of his politics was, the former prime minister made it clear that getting the prime minister’s slot was not the most crucial moment of his life. “I don’t think I had gained as much respect in my political history as (I have) today. When we have been in the opposition, I think that was the most important moment where you can contribute in this regard.”
Reference against former PM Imran Khan
It may be recalled that at the behest of five lawmakers, National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf had filed a reference in the Election Commission in August last year alleging that Imran Khan did not disclose in his assets the income earned by selling gifts received from Toshakhana. In the reference filed under Article 63 of the Constitution, Imran Khan’s disqualification was sought under Article 62-1F.
During an informal media conversation, former prime minister Imran Khan said on the controversy of gifts received in Toshakhana, “Gifts were mine and whether I wanted to keep them or not.”
In the Toshakhana reference, Imran Khan submitted his written reply to the election commission on September 7, 2022, according to which 58 gifts were given to the prime minister and his wife between August 1, 2018, and December 31, 2021.
On October 21, 2022, the Election Commission of Pakistan disqualified former prime minister Imran Khan from the National Assembly seat after the allegations proved (against him) in the Toshakhana reference.
A five-member bench of the ECP said in a unanimous decision, “Imran Khan has been (found) guilty of corrupt practices, and he is disqualified under Article 63P of the Constitution.” In the short judgment, it was also ordered to initiate legal proceedings against Imran Khan.
After this, the Sessions Court of Islamabad issued non-bailable arrest warrants to initiate criminal proceedings against Imran Khan in the Toshakhana reference.
Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal issued the arrest warrants for his continued absence. On February 28, the court gave Imran Khan the last opportunity to appear before the court as Imran Khan was to be indicted in the Toshakhana case. Imran Khan had requested to shift the case from the trial court to the judicial complex, but the court rejected the request.
Imran Khan appeared in the judicial complex on February 28 but did not appear before the trial court. On March 7, the court issued orders to arrest Imran Khan.
On March 6, the court rejected Imran Khan’s plea to cancel the (arrest) warrants. The court on Thursday issued a decision to uphold Imran Khan’s warrants. Earlier, Islamabad police had also been to Lahore to comply with the arrest warrants issued on February 28.
