Former Pakistani Prime Minister, Imran Khan, has been handed a three-year prison term. The conviction is linked to his illegal sale of state gifts and asset concealment in the infamous Toshakhana case.
Dubai-based businessman and Liberia’s Ambassador at Large, Umar Farooq Zahoor, played a pivotal role. His evidence in the Toshakhana scandal led to Khan’s conviction, putting the ex-leader’s political future in jeopardy.
Decisive Evidence and the Rare Watch
Judge Humayun Dilwalaa found Khan guilty of presenting counterfeit details of gifts to the court. Additionally, the ex-PM was disqualified from politics for a five-year term. “The allegations against Mr. Khan are proven,” stated the judgment.
At the center of this controversy was a luxury watch, a gift from the Saudi Crown Prince. Khan’s defense argued it was sold to a local dealer in Islamabad. However, the narrative shifted when Zahoor revealed his ownership of the Diamond Master Graff Tourbillon Minute Repeater with Makkah Map Dial GM2751, valued at Rs85 million ($385,000).
Umar Farooq Zahoor’s total acquisitions amounted to 7.5 million AED Dirhams, which included a range of luxurious items. These items, once presented to the media, solidified Zahoor’s claims of new ownership, a statement Khan’s team later accepted.
Zahoor’s claims were thoroughly examined by Pakistani authorities. After investigators from Dubai confirmed Zahoor’s ownership and the authenticity of the watch, the case took a decisive turn.
Returning to Pakistan, Zahoor provided testimonies to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and other investigative agencies. His evidence became foundational in corruption probes against the former Prime Minister.
Khan’s response to Zahoor’s revelations was aggressive. The former PM announced intentions to sue Zahoor in Dubai, but local authorities denied any case against Zahoor, confirming no laws were breached.
As tensions heightened, former PTI leader, Fawad Chaudhary, labeled Zahoor dishonest, triggering Zahoor to release conversations revealing Chaudhary’s duplicity.
The disputes between Zahoor and Khan’s circle trace back to events in 2019 and 2020. Zahoor’s acquisition of luxury items from Gogi began after being introduced by Akbar in March 2019. Tensions rose in June 2020 when Zahoor faced allegations of fraud and money laundering by Sophia Mirza, his ex-wife, leading to investigations endorsed by Khan. However, all cases against Zahoor were eventually dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
Upon Khan’s incarceration in Attock jail, Zahoor expressed his vindication on Twitter: “Alhamdullilah. I am vindicated. Imran Khan is found guilty of corruption…”
The Toshakhana allegations brought Khan under scrutiny for allegedly selling state gifts at a profit, misleading the ECP about these transactions. The Election Commission of Pakistan declared Khan guilty of these corrupt practices in October 2022. As a result, a sessions court sought criminal proceedings against the former PM. The case culminated in Judge Humayun Dilawar’s judgment, declaring Khan guilty of corruption.
