Toshakhana’s wristwatch sale saga: It’s govt, Geo News, Umar Farooq vs PTI
After the latest revelations regarding the Toshakhana wristwatch saga, questions arose about whether the government will hold an inquiry into claims and counterclaims made by Geo News, PTI leaders and other media reports.
After the latest revelations regarding the Toshakhana wristwatch saga, questions arose about whether the government will hold an inquiry into claims and counterclaims made by Geo News, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and other media reports.
Yesterday, the Norwegian-Pakistani millionaire Zahoor Farooq Zahoor claimed that he has evidence to prove he bought the rare Graffe wristwatch and three other Toshakhana gifts from Farhat Shahzadi alias Farah Gogi for 7.5 million Dirhams in cash.
The expensive wristwatch worth at least Rs2 billion was gifted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to former prime minister Imran Khan and was allegedly sold by Farah Gogi and Shahzad Akbar to Dubai-based businessman Umar Farooq Zahoor, according to Geo News.
The businessman appeared on Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath on Geo News to show evidence of the purchase as well as all the Toshakhana gifts he owns now.
عمرفاروق ظہور کے مطابق، عمران خان کو سعودی ولی عہد محمد بن سلمان سے ملنے والی گھڑی اور دیگر تحائف بشریٰ بی بی کی دوست فرح گوگی سے بیس لاکھ ڈالرز کیش میں دبئی میں خریدے اور اُسوقت کے مشیراحتساب شہزاد اکبر نے رابطہ کرایا۔ انٹرویو اور تحائف دیکھیے 1/3
— Shahzeb Khanzada (@shazbkhanzdaGEO) November 15, 2022
The businessman alleged that he was later on blackmailed and fake cases of money laundering were registered against him by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) at the behest of Shahzad Akbar after he refused to listen to the demands made by his former wife Sophia Mirza.
In an affidavit, Zahoor says: “I Umar Farooq, S/O late Zahoor Ahmed resident of R/o (Address as Per Cnic) House No D-102/1, Block-4, Clifton Karachi, currently Residing at Muhammad Bin Rashid City, District One, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) do hereby solemnly affirm and declare on oath that I was introduced to Ms Farhat Shahzadi by Mr Shehzad Akbar and bought the following ornaments, jewellery SET 2 by Graff from Ms Farhat Shahzadi having CNIC No 35201-2625741-8 and passport No. BP5147413 for AED Seven Million and Five Hundred Thousand Dirhams (AED 7,500,000) paid as cash”.
Zahoor’s affidavit lists the four gifts he purchased from Farah Gogi, which were given to former PM Imran Khan by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.
The gifts mentioned include Diamond MasterGraff Tourbillon Minute Repeater with Makkah Map Dial GM2751, Diamond Cufflinks with 2.12ct H IF and 2.11ct I IF Round Diamonds GR46899, Diamond Gent’s Ring 7.20cts, VVSl Rose Gold Pen Set with Pave Diamonds and Enamel Mecca Map.
Fawad Chaudhry’s response
PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry tweeted, “As per Geo TV own report Gifts were sold in 2019. Evaluation was done on 15-11-2022. I.e Today from a corner shop in IDFC Dubai, apparently just before recording todays TV program.”
As per Geo TV own report Gifts were sold in 2019. Evaluation was done on 15-11-2022. I.e Today from a corner shop in IDFC Dubai, apparently just before recording todays prog…. #PropagandaBusted pic.twitter.com/IOvhS55cfO
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) November 15, 2022
He said that the political rivals said in a Twitter that a wristwatch worth Rs5 million was never given to any prime minister.
جب عمران خان ہر کوئ کیس نہیں ملا تو کیس یہ بنایا گیا کہ سعودی عرب کے بادشاہ نے عمران خان کو مہنگی گھڑی تحفے میں ی وہ گھڑی روزہ خانی سے خرید کر مہنگے دانوں مارکیٹ میں فروخت کر دی گئ، سب سے پہلے تو یہ کہ پانچ ملین ڈالر کی گھڑی کبھی کسی بھی وزیر اعظم کو تحفہ نہیں دی گئ (جاری)
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) November 15, 2022
Arshad Sharif raised questions about Zahoor
On October 23, the slain senior journalist Arshad Sharif had raised questions about Umar Farooq Zahoor and shared a VG article titled ‘Sputnik for sale” making claims about ‘a sheik and a man wanted by the Norwegian police are travelling to poor countries selling Russian vaccines at a premium.”
Sharif had questioned regarding Zahoor who lodged FIR against several officers of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in the Secretariat police station.
عمر فاروق ظہور جنہوں نے #FIA کے متعدد افسران کے خلاف تھانہ سیکریٹریٹ میں ایف آی آر کٹوائی، ان کے حوالے سے عالمی تحقیقاتی رپورٹ-
سوال تو بنتا ہے کہ FIA کے متعدد افسران کیا اس لئے زیر عتاب ہیں کہ انھوں نے #ڈگی_والی_سرکار اور جہانگیر ترین کی تحقیقات کیں؟https://t.co/K9nPZUjxM1— Arshad Sharif (@arsched) October 23, 2022
Exclusion of Zahoor from Interpol’s Red Notice
A journalist from Hum News Nadir Baloch said on Twitter that Geo News had aired a report a month ago regarding the exclusion of Zahoor’s name from the international Interpol after the registration of a money laundering case under the supervision of former PM’s aide on accountability Shahzad Akbar.
Nadir said that Geo News is now reporting that Farooq purchased the jewellery following Akbar’s telephone call.
جیو نے 1 ماہ پہلے خبر چلائی کہ جس عمر فاروق پر شہزاد اکبر کی نگرانی میں منی لانڈرنگ کا کیس بنوایا تھا اس کا نام انٹرنیشنل انٹرپول سے نام نکال دیا گیا ہے، اب خبر چلا رہا ہے کہ اسی شہزاد اکبر کے ایک فون پر عمر فاروق نے ہار خرید لیا۔ ویسے یہ سب کیسے کرلیتے ہیں pic.twitter.com/VwLtkgVvHY
— Nadir Baloch (@BalochNadir5) November 15, 2022
Shireen Mazari
PTI leader Shireen Mazari wrote on Twitter, “So this is the man, Umar Farooq Zahoor, wanted in more than one country for fraud & in child custody cases, who has been employed by the Dark Shadows hovering over Imported Govt of crooks to target IK! Truly the pits!”
So this is the man, Umar Farooq Zahoor, wanted in more than one country for fraud & in child custody cases, who has been employed by the Dark Shadows hovering over Imported Govt of crooks to target IK! Truly the pits! #WeTrustImranKhan pic.twitter.com/eb2kke5IiB
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) November 15, 2022
News360 tried to reach Umar Farooq Zahoor for his comments, however, he did not respond to the telephone call.
