Bushra not released despite bail by IHC

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Wednesday granted bail to Bushra Bibi in the ongoing Toshakhana-II case.

The court ordered to release her from Adiala jail. However, the trial court judge did not issue ‘Robkar’ (release orders) to Bushra Bibi till the filing of the report, for not being available on his seat.

The bail was approved by Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb during hearing on Wednesday, with Bushra Bibi required to submit a surety bond of Rs1 million. The decision provided temporary relief to Bushra Bibi, who faces allegations related to improper handling of state gifts.

Justice Aurangzeb questioned the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) investigation officer about the necessity of further interrogation of Bushra Bibi. The officer confirmed that no additional investigation was required, after which the judge granted her bail.

Meanwhile, Special Judge Central Islamabad Shahrukh Arjumand postponed the indictment proceedings against Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana-II case due to security concerns here on Wednesday.

Initially set to take place at the Adiala jail, the hearing was moved to the Islamabad Judicial Complex. However, security concerns continued preventing the proceedings, and the court rescheduled the indictment for October 26.

Opposition leader in National Assembly Omar Ayub claimed that a conspiracy was being hatched to delay the release of Bushra Bibi from Adiala jail, adding that the PTI legal team was waiting to submit surety bonds for her release on the court orders, but the judge concerned was not available.

Talking to the media outside the Adiala jail, Omar Ayub said it was a planned game and the judge was being controlled from somewhere else. He said Bushra Bibi, a housewife, and PTI founder, were trapped in the Toshakhana case-II. “Our lawyers are present in the court for presenting surety bonds for the release of Bushra Bibi, but the judge has disappeared.”

He said the real culprit of Toshakhana was Asif Zardari. He claimed that a conspiracy against the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi was hatched by the agencies. One day they would be held answerable for their wrongdoings, he said.

Omar Ayub condemned the way the 26th Amendment was passed from parliament. He claimed that around five PTI MNAs were brought to parliament and they were forced to vote in favour of the government. He claimed that people of agencies were present when the amendment was passed.

The opposition leader said the parliamentary committee, which was constituted to review the draft under the guidance of Khursheed Shah, knew all the facts. Omar alleged that the country was being managed on the North Korean style of autocracy and like Myanmar women are being kidnapped in the country. He said Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, sisters of Imran Khan, were innocent. He claimed that Bushra Bibi, Yasmin Rashid and other women have been kept in jail illegally. Due to such grave situation, foreign investment was not coming to the country.

He said, “Our legal battle will continue for the supremacy of the Constitution; we will process cases of reserved seats.”