In response to claims that PTI Chairman Imran Khan had sold a state gift to the latter, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry stated on Wednesday that his party would file legal actions against Dubai-based businessman Umar Farooq Zahoor in the Gulf nation and Jang Group in London. He did admit that the present had been “lawfully” bought and sold.
The justification was given a day after Zahoor claimed on the Geo News program ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’ that the PTI government had sold a pricey Graff wristwatch that was given to Imran by the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman for $2 million, which was equivalent to Rs280 million at the time of sale in 2019.
As a result of the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to disqualify the PTI leader for making “false statements and erroneous declarations,” the Toshakhana case involving the sale of official goods that Imran had received became a significant flashpoint in national politics. Imran finally acknowledged selling at least four gifts he received as prime minister, including a Graff wristwatch, in a written response on September 8 after months of avoiding the subject. The issue was brought to light once more last night when Zahoor claimed on the Geo News program that he had purchased the watch through Bushra Bibi’s close friend Farah Khan and former finance minister Shahzad Akbar.
The businessman from Dubai further stated that Farah wanted to sell the watch for $4–5 million, “but after discussions, I bought it for $2 million.” He continued by saying that Farah insisted on paying in cash. PTI leaders were outraged by the assertions, including Akbar, who refuted Zahoor’s accusations. In a similar vein, Fawad denied the allegations during today’s press conference. He provided information regarding the aforementioned Graff wristwatch at the start of the press conference. He explained the process for accepting state gifts and stated that the watch was given to Imran by the Saudi king during his visit to the country in 2018, while the PTI leader was the prime minister. The watch was properly deposited in the Toshakhana department and was valued at about RS100 million, according to Fawad.
He noted that at the time, individuals holding public office might pay 20% of the gift’s appraised value and keep it. Fawad asserted that Imran Khan “paid 20 percent of the estimated price and it became his personal property,” adding that the watch was eventually “sold in the market for about Rs57 million.” Imran Khan declared it in his tax filings and before the election commission, and capital gains tax was paid by that declaration. He insisted that “Umar Zahoor” was never the buyer of the watch. Additionally, it was never given to Farah Gujjar for sale, and Farah’s husband, Ahsan Saleem Gujjar, made it apparent [last] night that she had never met Zahoor. Fawad also brought up Zahoor’s “extremely murky history” in this context. According to reports, Zahoor is a powerful corporate figure who has been wanted since 2009–10 by Pakistan, Turkey, Norway, Switzerland, and other countries for a variety of financial and other offenses.
The businessman is also accused of bringing his young daughters abroad without their consent after acquiring their passports under pretenses of parentage and identity, despite the Lahore High Court’s previous ruling adding his name to the Exit Control List. Fawad used this information as the foundation of his argument, asserting that Zahoor selected Akbar because the former accountability minister desired Akbar’s return to Pakistan. However, not long after the new administration took office, a first information report was filed at Islamabad’s Kohsar police station against Akbar and the late Mohammad Rizwan, director of the Federal Investigation Agency. After Zahoor’s name was later taken off the ECL (Exit Control List), he held this press conference a month later.
