Toshakhana case: AC summons Zardari, Nawaz and Gilani

16 May, 2020

The NAB had filed Toshakhana reference against Zardari and the two former prime ministers for allegedly acquiring vehicles and gifts from Toshakhana in violation of the set rules and regulations.

The Accountability Court judge, Muhammad Bashir, while hearing the case summoned Zardari, Sharif and Gilani to appear before it on May 29th. Zardari, Sharif, Gilani, Khawaja Anver Majid, and Khawaja Abdul Ghani Majid have been nominated in the case.

According to the bureau, the evidence collected during the course of inquiry and investigation has established that the accused, Gilani in order to extend illegal benefit to accused, Zardari and Sharif, illegally allowed the retention of vehicles gifted to them by various foreign states and dignitaries, which at that time belonged to the Central Pool of Cars, Cabinet Division, relaxing the procedure of Toshakhana, illegally.

According to the NAB, accused, Zardari and Sharif, had retained the said vehicles against the nominal payment of 15 percent of total value of the vehicles.

According to rules, it was the responsibility of the accused persons to report and deposit the vehicles with the Toshakhana of the Cabinet Division, but they neither reported the gifted vehicles nor deposited the same. They converted those vehicles to own use. The accused, Zardari made the payment for vehicles and duties of these vehicles through accused Khawaja Anver Majid and Khawaja Abdul Ghnai Majid, from fake bank accounts.

The accused, Gilani, former prime minister and minister-in-charge Cabinet Division from 2008-2012 had illegally relaxed the procedure for the acceptance and disposal of gifts, issued by the government through Cabinet Division OM no.9/8/2004 TK dated June 25, 2007.

According to these rules, gifted vehicles shall not be allowed to be purchased by the recipients and be given to the Central Pool of Cars of the Cabinet Division.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020

Read Comments