Gilani challenges NAB jurisdiction in Toshakhana case involving Zardari and Nawaz Sharif 

Former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has challenged the jurisdiction of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Accountability Court in the Toshakhana reference case against him, President Asif Ali Zardari, and former Premier Nawaz Sharif. 

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the hearing took place in Accountability Court No 3 under Judge Abid Sajjad on Tuesday. 

Gilani's lawyer argued that following the restoration of certain amendments, the Accountability Court and NAB no longer have the authority to hear this case.

In response to the challenge, Judge Abid Sajjad issued a notice to NAB, asking it to clarify whether the Toshakhana case falls under its jurisdiction. The court has adjourned the hearing until September 26, pending NAB's response.

The reference filed by NAB accuses Yusuf Raza Gilani of providing illegal benefits to Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif by allowing them to retain vehicles gifted by various foreign states and dignitaries. 

The reference alleges that Gilani, through dishonest and illegal means, relaxed the procedures for submitting and disposing of these gifts in the Toshakhana, enabling the retention of the vehicles against a nominal payment of 15% of their total value.

Further, the reference states that Asif Ali Zardari made payments for the vehicles through the Omni Group’s chief executive and his son, with no plausible justification provided for these transactions. NAB’s investigation established that these payments were linked to illegitimate laundered proceeds benefiting the accused.

The reference also claims that Gilani, in collusion with Zardari and Nawaz, illegally altered the rules governing the acceptance and disposal of gifts, which specifically prohibit the purchase of vehicles by recipients. This misuse of authority allegedly caused a wrongful loss to the national exchequer.

According to NAB, during his presidency, Asif Ali Zardari accepted vehicles as gifts from the United Arab Emirates in 2005 and from Libya in 2008, but failed to report or deposit these vehicles in the Toshakhana, prioritising personal gain. 

Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif, who did not hold public office in 2008, is accused of illegally acquiring benefits in connivance with Gilani by circumventing the established procedures for accepting and disposing of gifts.

Established in 1974, the Toshakhana is responsible for storing valuable gifts given to Pakistan's officials by foreign dignitaries. The rules require that gifts above a certain value be deposited in the Toshakhana, although officials can keep these gifts by paying a specified percentage of the assessed value.

Reporter: Hasher Ahsan