The release order for Bushra Bibi, wife of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has been delayed despite the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granting her bail in the Toshakhana case. The holdup occurred due to the absence of Special Judge Central Shah Rukh Arjumand, who needed to issue the release order.
During today’s proceedings, Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb of the IHC mandated the submission of two surety bonds of 10 million rupees each. The prosecution, represented by FIA prosecutor Amir Majeed, argued that gifts received by public officials are considered state property unless legally purchased, claiming the case involves gifts that were not properly declared.
The court questioned the basis for implicating Bushra Bibi if she had not received the gifts herself. The prosecution responded that her involvement was due to Imran Khan’s position as a public official at the time.
Justice Aurangzeb noted that the true valuation of Toshakhana gifts could only be established through auction, comparing the situation to a British Prime Minister who accepted gifts. He emphasized that while rules may have been followed, public perception and propriety are also significant considerations.
The court also asked about the consequences of returning the gifts. The prosecution clarified that while plea bargaining exists under NAB law, there is no such provision applicable to this case.
After considering the arguments, the court approved Bushra Bibi’s bail application. However, the release order could not be issued due to the absence of Special Judge Arjumand, compounded by the duty judge, Humayun Dilawar, being on leave.
PTI lawyers spent the day trying to submit the surety bonds to facilitate her release, but the court adjourned before they could complete the process. Efforts to secure the release order from Administrative Judge Raja Jawad Abbas were also unsuccessful, as he had already left for the day.
