RAWALPINDI: A Rawalpindi court has denied Bushra Bibi’s bail application in 12 cases related to the May 9 events.
On Monday, Judge Malik Ejaz Asif of the anti-terrorism court emphasized the need for a thorough investigation given the multiple cases against the accused, leading to the dismissal of her bail request.
During the hearing at Adiala Jail, the court directed that the investigation into these cases be concluded within seven days. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated, was presented in court along with other PTI leaders, including Sheikh Rashid, Shibli Faraz, Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Sadaqat Abbasi, Shireen Mazari, and Azam Swati.
Over 500 individuals connected to the May 9 incidents were also brought before the court.
Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, and other accused were represented by their legal counsel, led by Muhammad Faisal Malik. The court has adjourned the hearing of the May 9 cases until August 22.
On August 6, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had summoned Rawalpindi’s Deputy Inspector General (DIG) operations to provide information on FIRs related to the May 9 rioting, in which Bushra Bibi is implicated. IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq heard a petition seeking details of the cases against Bushra Bibi and requesting her protection from arrest in any unreported cases, allowing her to approach the relevant court.
The petitioner’s lawyer, Sardar Latif Khosa, argued that Bushra Bibi was implicated in cases where investigations had not yet commenced, but there was a risk of her arrest.
On August 9, the Accountability Court (ATC) extended the physical remand of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi for an additional 11 days in the Toshakhana case. The accused were presented before ATC Judge Nasir Javed Rana at Adiala Jail.
NAB’s investigating officer Mohsin Haroon and deputy prosecutor general Sardar Muzaffar were also present. NAB requested a further two-week extension of the physical remand to complete their investigation, noting that the accused had cooperated only twice during the previous 10-day remand.
