Bushra Bibi, wife of former prime minister and PTI founder chairman Imran Khan, was released from jail on bail Thursday after getting relief in 15 cases and remaining behind bars for 265 days. According to media reports, Bushra Bibi after her release was on her way to Banigala residence with tight security. Her release from Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail came a day after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted her bail against surety bonds worth Rs1 million in the Toshakhana-II case. The former first lady was arrested after a court on January 31 convicted and sentenced the couple to 14 years in prison after finding them guilty of retaining and selling state gifts in violation of government rules (Toshakhana case) while Imran Khan was in power. Earlier in the day, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) finally issued the Robkar for the release of Bushra Bibi, wife of former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan, from the Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi one day after she was granted bail in Toshakhana-II reference. Earlier, Robkar was written thrice, but each time there were errors in it.

However, when it was drafted for the fourth time, it was free from mistakes.   Earlier, bail bonds were submitted as ordered by the court. The IHC had on Wednesday accepted the bail petition of Bushra Bibi in Toshakhana-II reference in lieu of a surety bond of Rs1 million. IHC judge Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb pronounced the verdict. On the last hearing, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had opposed the former first lady’s bail plea. FIA Prosecutor Zulfikar Abbas Naqvi, FIA lawyer Umair Majeed Malik appeared before the court while Barrister Salman Safdar represented Bushra. "It's been 12 days since the last hearing of Bushra's bail plea was held," Barrister Safdar said, adding the price of the gifts was lowered by a private buyer, who he said, had later become an approver against Bushra. Justice Aurangzeb asked, "Was it Imran Khan’s decision to take the gift after paying 50 per cent of the total value?"

The FIA prosecutor responded that was not the case. “What do you have to say on the former first lady’s bail plea?" Justice Aurangzeb inquired. "We will oppose it," said the FIA prosecutor. On July 13, 2024, Imran and his wife Bushra had been arrested in a fresh National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Toshakhana case. The NAB team, headed by Deputy Director Mohsin Haroon, arrested the former prime minister and his wife from the Adiala Jail. The development came after the Islamabad district and sessions court accepted the appeals filed by the couple against their conviction in the Iddat case.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan