The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has revealed the list of witnesses who will testify against Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the Tosha Khana reference, reported 24NewsHD TV channel Tuesday.
The reference pertains to the alleged misuse of power and illegal retention of valuable gifts received from foreign dignitaries during their tenure as prime minister and first lady.
According to the list, NAB will produce 20 witnesses in total, out of which 12 will appear before the accountability court on January 11. The witnesses include Sohaib Abbasi, a private appraiser who valued the gifts, Rahimullah, the deputy consul general of Dubai, Zahid Sarfraz, the assistant secretary protocol of the Prime Minister's Office, and several officers from the Tosha Khana section.
The reference alleges that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi received 108 gifts worth Rs 14 crore from various heads of state during their prime ministership. Out of these, they kept 58 gifts for themselves, including a jewellery set gifted by the Saudi crown prince. The jewellery set was reported to the Tosha Khana by the military secretary but not submitted as per the rules.
The reference further alleges that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi paid only Rs 90 lakh for the jewellery set, which was much lower than its actual value. They also allegedly contacted an expert in Dubai to undervalue the jewellery set and caused a loss of Rs 1573 million to the national exchequer.
NAB has requested the court to initiate a trial against the accused on the basis of all the required evidence, documentary evidence and inquiry report. Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi have denied the charges and termed them as politically motivated.