An accountability court in Rawalpindi has extended the physical remand of Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and his wife, Bushra Bibi, by 10 days in connection with the Toshakhana case.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) presented the couple to the court after their previous seven-day remand ended and submitted a progress report on the new case to the judge. NAB Prosecutor General Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi and investigative deputy director Mohsin Haroon were present during the hearing.
Defense lawyer Salman Safdar opposed the extension of the remand requested by the NAB team. During the hearing, a confrontation occurred between the former prime minister and the NAB prosecutor general. Imran Khan questioned why his wife, who he claimed had no involvement with the Toshakhana and was not a public office holder during his tenure as premier, was being penalized. He criticized NAB officials, alleging they were corrupt.
Abbasi took offense at Khan’s remarks and cautioned him to avoid personal attacks, emphasizing that he had never made personal comments about the PTI leader. Abbasi challenged Khan to purchase a dinner and tea set for Rs30,000 from Rawalpindi’s Raja Bazar, in reference to state gifts received from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Following a break in the proceedings, Khan apologized to Abbasi, which was accepted. The court then adjourned the session until August 8, instructing NAB to present Imran and Bushra at the next hearing.
Imran Khan, 71, has been in custody for nearly a year on various charges, including those related to the Toshakhana, a cipher case, and an un-Islamic marriage. His wife, Bushra Bibi, has also been imprisoned for several months. While there were hopes for their release in July, these were thwarted by NAB’s new charges involving the sale of state gifts. The prospect of Imran’s release has further diminished with his arrest on new charges related to the May 9, 2023, riots, despite his acquittal in the iddat case.
