Pakistan: Ex-PM Imran Khan granted bail in Toshakhana-II case, court orders immediate release

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Wednesday (Nov. 20) granted bail to imprisoned former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in the Toshakhana-II case.

Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb green-lighted the bail and ordered Khan’s immediate release on surety bonds of one million Pakistani rupees ($3,600).

Imran and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were arrested in the case on July 13 after the couple was granted bail in a separate Iddat case the same day.

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Bibi had already secured bail in the case from the IHC last month, but Khan remained behind bars. Now, Khan too has been set free by the court. Khan was detained and jailed in August last year in the Toshakhana-I case.

What is Toshakhana-II case?

The Toshakhana-II case revolves around allegations against Khan and his wife over retaining an expensive Bulgari jewellery set gifted by a foreign leader—including a necklace, earrings, bracelets, and rings.

Bibi received bail from the Islamabad High Court in this case on October 24, following which she was released from the Adiala Jail.

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Earlier, Pakistan’s anti-graft watchdog, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), had accused Khan and his wife of not returning items and jewellery gifted by the Saudi royal family during a 2021 visit.

According to the NAB, “Out of these 108 gifts, the accused persons retained 58 gift boxes/sets against an undervalued amount of Rs 142.1 million as assessed by appraisers.”

The relief to Imran Khan has been granted days ahead of a planned massive rally by the PTI on November 24. The PTI earlier said the rally in Islamabad city would be held to press the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to release the jailed leader. On the other hand, Pakistan authorities responded by banning the gathering of five or more people in the capital city ahead of the protests, citing security concerns.

Imran issued a “final call” on Nov. 13 and urged more and more people to join the Sunday rally against what he describes as a 'stolen mandate', the unjust arrests of people, and the passage of the 26th amendment, which he said has strengthened a “dictatorial regime”.

“Everyone must join the protest on November 24th. If any PTI leader or ticket holder is not able to ensure their participation in the protest, they should disassociate themselves from the party because this is the decisive moment when the entire nation will come out for freedom. The nation will not accept any excuse at such a critical time,” Imran Khan wrote on social media platform X.

(With inputs from agencies)