ISLAMABAD: Imran Khan, the leader of PTI, has been granted bail in six different cases, while his wife, Bushra Bibi, has secured bail in two cases.
The hearings were overseen by Additional District and Sessions Judge Islamabad, Afzal Majoorka.
Imran Khan faces charges relating to the events of May 9, including attempted murder, vandalism, arson, and allegations of possessing fake receipts of the Toshakhana (the state gift repository). Bushra Bibi is also involved in a case concerning counterfeit Toshakhana receipts registered at Kohsar Police Station.
The prosecution brought forward witnesses Raza Nadeem Hussain Kiani, Mazhar Bashir, and Tahir Kazmi. They opposed the bail applications for both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.
According to the prosecution, strong evidence supports the allegations against them, and therefore, they do not qualify for bail. As a result, they requested the court to dismiss the applications.Lawyer Salman Sardar defended the applicants, arguing that such delays in bail requests are unprecedented. He criticized the conduct of the authorities, noting 63 adjournments and nine failed attempts by jail officials to produce the accused. Notices were issued to the jail superintendent sixteen times. The application for bail is based on merit, not health reasons. He emphasized that bail before arrest has only been denied once, in the May 9 case.
Sardar also claimed that some cases are fabricated as a means of intimidation against political opponents. He pointed out that Imran Khan was arrested in the Election Commission case on August 5, 2023, but was not detained in these other cases for over two years, nor was there any investigation or formal charges filed. He argued that the prosecution has lost interest, with cases being registered in 2023 but no progress made by 2026. He urged the court to examine the police records to verify when investigations started and highlighted obstacles in accessing justice.
The court asked whether the Toshakhana receipts had been recovered. The prosecution responded that the receipts had not been recovered but fake ones had been shown in the media.The court further inquired if forensic testing had been carried out on the receipts. Due to the prosecution’s inadequate answers, the court decided to grant bail.Bail was approved with surety bonds of 50,000 rupees each for Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.
Additionally, Bushra Bibi was granted relief in another case.
Meanwhile, on November 26, a hearing regarding Bushra Bibi’s involvement in PTI protests took place at the District and Sessions Court Islamabad, presided over by Additional District and Sessions Judge Amir Zia.Represented by Lawyer Salman, Bushra Bibi’s bail was approved upon the submission of 50,000 rupees surety bonds.
