Imran announces to move int'l courts against Umar Zahoor, media house over gift sale allegation

PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said that he would move courts against Dubai-based businessman Umar Farooq Zahoor in the gulf state and Geo/Jang Group in London for damaging his character over gift sales.

"I have no hope in Pakistan’s justice system," Khan said in a video address.

A day ago, Zahoor appeared on Geo News programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath and claimed the PTI government had sold an expensive Graff wristwatch — gifted to Imran by Saudi Crown Prince Moham­med Bin Salman — for $2 million, worth approximately Rs280m at the time of sale in 2019.

"I have spoken to my lawyers and I plan to sue Geo, Khanzada and the fraudster not only in Pak but also in UK and UAE," Khan said in a tweet.

I have spoken to my lawyers & I plan to sue Geo, Khanzada & the fraudster not only in Pak but also in UK & UAE-@ImranKhanPTI #EnoughlsEnough pic.twitter.com/R97BTUZvTj

— PTI (@PTIofficial) November 16, 2022

The Dubai-based businessman also claimed that Farah wanted to sell the watch for $4-5m “but after negotiations, I purchased it for $2 million”. The payment, he added, was made in cash on Farah’s insistence.

The Toshakhana case over the sale of state gifts received by Imran became a major sticking point in national politics after the Election Commission of Pakistan disqualified the PTI chief for making “false statements and incorrect declaration”.

After months of evading the topic, Imran admitted in a written reply on Sept 8 that he had sold at least four presents including a Graff wristwatch he had received during his tenure as the prime minister.

The matter again came into the spotlight yesterday night as Zahoor claimed in the Geo News programme that he had bought the watch through former accoun­ta­bility minister Shahzad Akbar and Farah Khan, a close aide of Imran’s wife Bushra Bibi.