Imran faces another allegation of buying gifted diamond jewellery for a song
Pakistan
Imran faces another allegation of buying gifted diamond jewellery for a song
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan is facing another allegation of buying expensive diamond jewellery gifted to him by foreign dignitaries during his tenure as premier for a trifling sum.
Sources said the PTI chief, who was disqualified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in the Toshakhana reference in November last, received gifts from Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and other foreign dignitaries. Instead of sending them to the Toshakhana, a state gift repository, he bought the gifts at price for far less than their worth.
According to the law, state officials are required to submit the gifts they receive from foreign dignitaries in the Toshakhan. If they fail to submit the gift or at least half the amount the gift is worth, it is an illegal act.
Mr Khan is accused of committing the illegal act by depositing a few hundred thousand rupees in the national exchequer for the expensive gifts.
In Sep 2020, the 70-year-old politician received gifts, including precious diamond jewellery set, from the Saudi crown prince. A foreign jeweller estimated its value at Rs3 to 4 billion but Mr Khan allegedly bought it for mere Rs9 million and no one objected to it, sources said.
The PTI chairman, who is facing various allegations since his ouster through a no-confidence vote in April last, also bought a set of a diamond ring and cufflinks by paying only Rs2.4 million. However, a foreign jeweller had estimated its price at Rs100 million.
He has also been accused of purchasing a set of jewellery gifted to him by the emir of Qatar for only Rs550,000.
Meanwhile, Attaullah Tarar, special assistant to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, said the PTI chief committed corruption during his tenure as prime minister. He said the allegations are a tip of the iceberg.
