An Islamabad District Court has extended the interim bail of PTI founder and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in six ongoing cases until September 19. Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majuka presided over the hearing, during which the court also requested a report from the jail authorities regarding the non-submission of their response on the PTI founder’s video link appearance. During the hearing, the PTI founder's lawyer, Khalid Yusuf, informed the court that four of their bail applications were being heard in Lahore on the same day and requested an extension of the interim bail to allow time for arguments in the next hearing. He also took the opportunity to congratulate Judge Majuka on completing his Umrah. The court extended the interim bail and instructed the jail authorities to submit a report on the possibility of the PTI founder’s appearance via video link. Arguments on the bail applications will be presented at the next hearing, scheduled for September 19.

Verdict on Bushra Bibi's acquittal in £190m NAB reference An accountability court has reserved its decision on the acquittal plea of Bushra Bibi, the wife of PTI founder, in the £190 million National Accountability Bureau (NAB) reference. The decision is expected to be announced today (Thursday). The court, presided over by Judge Nasir Javed Rana, held the hearing inside Adiala Jail, where both the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi were brought in for proceedings. Bushra Bibi’s lawyer, Usman Gul, presented arguments for her acquittal, while NAB Prosecutor General Muzaffar Bassi and Amjad Parvez opposed the plea. The cross-examination of NAB’s final witness, the investigating officer, could not take place due to the absence of PTI leader Chaudhry Zaheer Abbas. The court has scheduled the cross-examination for the next hearing on September 5. Meanwhile, a contempt of court application against the NAB chairman was declared ineffective by the court. The hearing of the £190 million corruption reference has been adjourned until tomorrow, with key developments expected, including the decision on Bushra Bibi’s acquittal.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan