Explained: What Is Toshakhana Case?

Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan was sentenced to three years in prison and disqualified from contesting elections for five years on Saturday by a Pakistani court in the Toshakhana case.

The case relates to Khan's alleged violation of the Toshakhana rules by failing to deposit a diamond-encrusted watch gifted to him by a foreign dignitary in the government treasury. Khan was allowed to purchase the watch at a discounted price, but he is accused of selling it for a profit.

The court found Khan guilty of "dishonesty" and "misappropriation of state property". He was also ordered to pay a fine of 1 million Pakistani rupees (around USD 5,000).

The Toshakhana case is a corruption case in Pakistan in which former Prime Minister Imran Khan is accused of illegally obtaining luxury gifts from foreign dignitaries and selling them for profit. The case was filed by the Pakistan government in August 2022, and Khan was disqualified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in October 2022 under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution for making "false statements and incorrect declaration" about the gifts.

The Toshakhana is a government department that is responsible for receiving and storing gifts that are given to the president, prime minister, and other high-ranking government officials by foreign dignitaries. The gifts are usually expensive and include items such as jewelry, watches, and artwork.

The law states that any gifts that are given to government officials must be deposited in the Toshakhana, and the officials are not allowed to keep them or sell them. However, there is a provision in the law that allows officials to purchase the gifts at a discounted price.

Khan is accused of receiving a number of expensive gifts from foreign dignitaries during his time as prime minister, including a Graff wristwatch, a pair of cufflinks, an expensive pen, a ring, and four Rolex watches. He is alleged to have purchased these gifts at a discounted price and then sold them for profit.

The government has alleged that Khan's actions constitute a violation of the law and that he has enriched himself at the expense of the government treasury. Khan has denied the allegations and has said that he has done nothing wrong.