Islamabad:
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has accused deposed Prime Minister Imran Khan of selling valuable Toshakhana gifts, including diamond jewellery, worth Rs 140 million in Dubai, causing a loss to the national treasury.
According to the law of the land, any gift received from dignitaries of a foreign state must be deposited in the state depository or the Toshakhana.
Shehbaz made the claim during a meeting with senior journalists at the prime minister’s home, The News International reported Friday.
“I can confirm that Imran Khan took gifts from Toshakhana and sold them in Dubai for Rs 140 million (7.6 lakh). Valuable gifts include diamond jewelry, bracelets, watches and sets,” he said.
Shehbaz said he was once also given a watch that he deposited in the Toshakhana.
“I don’t have to hide anything,” said the newly elected prime minister.
The Pakistani government of Tehreek-e-Insaf led by Khan was reluctant to share details about gifts retained from Toshakhana.
Khan is under investigation by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for selling a precious necklace from Toshakhana, causing a loss to the national treasury.
The necklace was sold to a jeweler in Lahore through Zulfi Bukhari, former Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development for Rs 180 million, while only a fraction of that amount was paid to Toshakhana, the report said.
In response to the allegations, Bukhari said there was no truth in the reports of the sale of a necklace.
Speaking to Geo News, he said there was never any mention of the chain and the allegations were groundless and groundless.
Meanwhile, former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said Khan had bought the watch from the government that had been received as a gift from a foreign country.
“I don’t understand what the real issue of Shehbaz is,” he said, claiming that Shehbaz is confused because he is unable to understand how to make accusations against Khan.
Fawad said whatever the price of the watch, “if it’s mine I can sell that watch, nobody should have a problem with it.” The former minister and close associate of Khan advised Shehbaz to refrain from superficial gossip and focus on national issues.
When the head of state receives a gift from another state, he/she must hand it over to the Toshakhana according to the law.