Scandal at Toshakhana 2: Important witnesses confirm underestimation of jewelry's worth, along with receiving double payment in salary
In a recent development, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has filed a reference alleging that former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, illegally kept a Bulgari jewelry set gifted to them during Khan's tenure. The jewelry set, which consisted of a ring, bracelet, necklace, and a pair of earrings, was reportedly gifted by the Saudi royal family in May 2021. However, according to NAB, the national exchequer suffered a loss of approximately Rs35.28 million due to the undervaluation of the jewelry set. The price of the jewelry set was initially estimated at Rs70.56 million. The price of the necklace was valued at Rs50.64 million, the earrings at Rs10.50 million, while the prices of the ring and bracelet could not be obtained from the company. However, NAB officials have determined the actual worth of the jewelry set to be Rs75 million, significantly higher than the Rs5 million value given by the private appraiser. The reference also includes a total of 108 gifts received by Khan and his wife from different heads of state and foreign dignitaries during his tenure from 2018 to 2022. Inamullah Shah, former personal secretary to Imran Khan, is alleged to have coerced private appraiser Sohaib Abbasi to undervalue the Bulgari jewelry set. Abbasi admitted to this undervaluation, fearing repercussions if he did not comply. Shah, who was posted as the comptroller of the Prime Minister's House (PMO) during his tenure, also admitted to receiving double salary from both PTI and his government job from 2019 to 2021. Shah was fired from his job due to Bushra Bibi's displeasure and suspicion of his brother's links with Jahangir Tareen. It is reported that Shah's brother, Jahangir Shah, may have connections to Tareen. Sohaib Abbasi recorded his confessional statement regarding the undervaluation of the jewelry set before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman as well as a magistrate. The information regarding these confessional statements was obtained by Geo News. The necklace from the jewelry set was sold by the company for €300,000 on May 25, 2018, and the earrings were sold for €80,000. The deputy military secretary was briefed to estimate and declare the price of the jewelry set, which was not deposited in Toshakhana. The anti-graft watchdog, NAB, also claimed that Bushra Bibi received the jewelry set on her visit to Saudi Arabia in May 2021. The NAB reference is currently under investigation.
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