ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has said on Thursday that the wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, has approached the trial court for her absence from the hearing of the new Tosha Khana case. The guarantee can be canceled from
While hearing the application filed by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for cancellation of Bushra’s bail in the said case, the court remarked that: [relevant] The trial court can cancel the bail of the accused if he fails to appear after obtaining bail from the High Court.
The development comes after the FIA argued in its petition before IHC Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb that the former first lady was misusing the concession granted by the court.
Bushra was granted post-arrest bail by the IHC on October 23 in the new Tosha Khana case in which she is accused of allegedly being involved in the illegal sale of government gifts along with her husband Khan.
After coming out of jail, after months of long imprisonment, Bushra recently participated in PTI’s infamous “Do or Die” protest in Islamabad.
However, due to her repeated absence from the hearing in the said case, Special Judge (Central) Shahrukh Arjamand issued an arrest warrant against the PTI founder’s wife on December 5.
During today’s hearing – attended by Bushra and her lawyer, Barrister Salman Safdar – the court inquired how many cases the former first lady has not heard since she was granted bail.
Addressing Barrister Safdar, the court said, “Show me the order sheets of the trial court, did you get exemption from attendance?”
“What Bushra? [Bibi] Not at your disposal? Justice Aurangzeb remarked that such matters should be taken seriously.
In response, the lawyer of the former first lady complained that the hearing of the case was rushed and told the court that since October 23, 15 hearings have been held in the said case.
Safdar told the court that 15 hearings have been held since October 23, adding that the hearing on October 26 could not proceed as the judge was on leave.
The case was heard on October 29, but Bushra Bibi did not appear and an application for exemption from attendance was submitted on her behalf. Similarly, on November 5, Bushra Bibi was absent, another exemption petition was filed.
On November 8, Bushra Bibi appeared in court. The hearing scheduled for November 12 did not take place and he was granted immunity on November 14.
The lawyer added that on November 24, 25 cases were registered against Bushra Bibi after which she sought protective bail from the Peshawar High Court. For the first time, on December 5, an arrest warrant was issued for him, he said.
The court, maintaining that it was not a case of contempt of court, disposed of the FIA’s plea.
NAB Reference
In its reference filed against Khan and Bushra, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) said the Deputy Military Secretary briefed the section officer of Tosha Khana to estimate and declare the value of the jewelery set. The jewelry set, mentioned, was not deposited in the Tosha Khana.
The jewelery company sold a necklace for €300,000 and earrings for €80,000 on 25 May 2018. Information about the price of the bracelet and ring could not be obtained from the company.
On 28 May 2021, the value of the jewelery set was estimated at Rs 70.56 million. The necklace was valued at Rs 50.64 million and the earrings included in the jewelery were valued at Rs 10.50 million at that time.
As per rules, the 50% value of the jewelery set is around Rs 35.28 million.
According to the reference, the PTI founder and his wife violated the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Ordinance. It further said that on August 1, 2022, an inquiry was initiated against the former first couple on the directives of Chairman NAB.
PTI founder and Bushra Bibi misused his powers, PTI founder kept 58 out of 108 gifts during his prime ministership.