Islamabad: Days after he lost the trust-vote in a mid-night political drama in Pakistan National Assembly, ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan landed in a fresh controversy after the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) initiated a first inquiry against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief for selling a "gifted necklace", media reports stated.
A probe has been initiated by Pakistan's top investigative agency over allegations that Khan sold an expensive necklace received as a gift during his tenure to a jeweller for Rs 18 crore instead of depositing it to the 'Toshakhana' (state gift repository).
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According to country's law, any public gift can be kept in the personal closet by paying half price of it. However, the FIA claims that Khan deposited only a few lakh which was illegal.
The necklace Khan received as a gift was not sent to the toshakhana, but given to former special assistant Zulfikar Bukhari, who sold it to a jeweller in Lahore for Rs 18 crore, the Express Tribune newspaper reported.
Bukhari, however, denied the claims about selling of a necklace. Speaking to Geo News, Bukhari said that there never had been any talk about the necklace and the allegations were ill-founded and baseless.
State officials in Pakistan are required to submit the gifts they receive from dignitaries in the state repository. In case they fail to submit the gift or pay at least half the amount the gift is worth, it is an illegal act.
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Even last year, the Islamabad High Court had questioned the then-PTI government over its reluctance to disclose details of the gifts presented to then-PM Khan since August since he assumed office, The Dawn had reported.
Khan's government had taken the stance that the disclosure of any information related to Toshakhana jeopardises international ties.