Gilani assures return of Turkish first lady’s diamond necklace

LAHORE: Former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has assured in writing to return Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan’s diamond necklace, which has became the focus of a controversy between the interior ministry and the former premier.

The necklace donated in 2010 by Mrs Erdogan for flood-stricken people of Pakistan had disappeared prompting Interior Minister Chaurdhry Nisar Ali Khan to order the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to investigate the matter.

The former prime minister had later admitted that the necklace was in his possession.

Recording his statement before the FIA investigation office on Thursday, Mr Gilani assured that the necklace would be submitted by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Faisal Karim Kundi to the Prime Minister House on Friday.

The FIA on Sunday issued a notice to Gilani to return the necklace of the Turkish first lady. The investigative authority had warned Gilani that if the necklace was not submitted within three days a case will be lodged.