Sister says Bushra’s life in danger in Banigala

LONDON: The former first lady Mrs Bushra Imran Khan’s sister Maryam Riaz Wattoo has claimed that her sister’s life is in danger in Banigala where she is under house arrest.

Bushra Bibi, the wife of former prime minister Imran Khan, was placed under house arrest at her husband’s Islamabad mansion after she and her husband were convicted of graft allegations. Khan and his wife were sentenced to 14 years in jail in a case that relates to accusations that the ex-premier undervalued gifts from a state repository and gained profits from selling them while he held the country’s top office.

Maryam Riaz Wattoo told The News and Geo that she is much concerned about the safety of her sister “Mrs Bushra Imran Khan who has been treated badly by the jail authorities”.

She said Adiala jail superintendent is responsible for safety of Bushra Imran Khan but “evidence” shows that the jail authorities are failing in their duty.

Maryam Riaz Wattoo is Bushra Bibi’s younger sister, an educationist by profession and based in Dubai.

She said Mrs Bushra Imran Khan’s daughter met her after more than 10 days and informed that Bushra Bibi was given “some weird, very strong-tasting food six days ago which has burnt her throat and stomach completely such that since last six days she has not been able to eat anything, has gone very weak and is not well”.

She claimed that the policewoman who gave her the food that day has been transferred since.

She said that no doctor was called in on time to examine her and the delay means that the impact would be diluted of what was given in good to her sister.

In a tweet, Maryam Riaz Wattoo also highlighted concerns for her sister. She said, “No doctor has been called in for consultation. Mrs Bushra Imran Khan was very healthy when she submitted herself for arrest. She has no diseases like diabetes, hypertension, or anything else. Her fear is that she will be slowly made sick and then it will be announced that she died as she was sick and depressed. She passed the message that her faith is strong, Alhamdolillah, and she is enduring all this with a hope that this will lead to real freedom for our nation.

“The family wants urgent permission to have Mr. Bushra Imran Khan checked by a doctor appointed by the family. She should be taken to a hospital of our choice to conduct detailed health checks. Doctors appointed by the government can also accompany.”

Maryam Riaz Wattoo told The News she is appealing to Pakistan’s judiciary to take notice of what’s happening to her sister. “I call on Pakistan’s judiciary to take urgent action and look into our concerns.”