The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has started investigation into the sale of an expensive state gift “necklace” the former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan received during his tenure.
According to a report by 24 News, the necklace was gifted to Imran Khan during a visit to Saudi Arabia, but it was never sent to Tosha-khana (state gift repository). Rather, it was given to former special assistant Zulfi Bukhari, who sold it to a jeweller in Lahore for Rs180 million (Rs18 crore) ,” the report claimed.
Reacting to the news, Bukhari denied the allegation and termed them lies. In a tweet, he said, “No necklace given or ever sold by me. Low blow attempt to discredit PM by a B grade media house. Surely you can do better than that 24 News.”
The report, however, claimed that a small amount of money “few lac rupees” were submitted in the Tosha-khana record by the then government merely as an eye-wash.
It is pertinent to mention that as per the law, state officials are required to submit the gifts they receive from dignitaries during official visit and submit these gifts in the state gift repository. The law makes the submission of officials gift or at least half of the amount of the gift worth mandatory.
Last year, the Khan-led government denied giving out information about the exchange of gifts between Khan and other heads of state. The government said that some countries do not like disclosing their gifts so they are marked ‘classified’.
