The new Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif “confirmed” that the former ousted  premier Imran Khan took out gifts from the Toshakhana ((the state gift repository) and sold them in the open markets of Dubai.

"Imran Khan sold these gifts for Rs140 million in Dubai, valuable gifts include diamond jewellery, bracelets, watches and sets," Geo TV quoted PM Shehbaz as saying to journalists during an iftar on Thursday evening.

This was the first time when Shehbaz Sharif publicly blamed Khan after taking charge as the prime minister.

Reacting sharply on Sharif’s allegations, former law minister of Imran Khan government Chaudhary Fawad Hussain said that the new premier is "throwing dirt on Imran Khan".

"What is the offence if the (Ex) prime minister Khan sold the watch he bought from the government? It doesn't matter if the watch is worth Rs50 million or 100 million…if it is mine and I sold it, there shouldn't be any objection." Fawad told the channel adding, “I don’t understand what is the actual issue of Shahbaz.”

According to Pakistani law, state officials are required to submit the gifts they receive from dignitaries during official visits and submit them in Toshkhana (the state gift repository). If they want to keep gifts then they will have to deposit half the estimated cost of the gift. If they fail to submit the gift or at least half the amount the gift is worth, it is an illegal act.

Earlier, an inquiry was initiated against former prime minister Imran Khan by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for selling a precious necklace from Toshakhana, inflicting a loss to the national exchequer. The report had claimed that the necklace was sold to a jeweller in Lahore through a former assistant of Khan,  Zulfi Bukhari for Rs180 million, while only a fraction of that amount was paid to Toshakhana.

Also Read : Imran Khan booked for selling necklace received as state gift from Saudi Royals