The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday granted bail to Bushra Bibi, wife of PTI founder Imran Khan, in a new case involving an expensive Bulgari jewelry set acquired from the Toshakhana at a significantly reduced price.
On October 4, the IHC informed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) of Bushra Bibi’s petition seeking post-arrest bail.
According to the prosecution, the jewelry set, valued at Rs71.5 million, was retained by Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi for just Rs2.9 million.
Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb presided over the bail hearing, with Bushra’s lawyer Barrister Salman Safdar and FIA prosecutor Umair Majid Malik presenting their arguments. Malik opened the proceedings after Safdar had finished his remarks the previous day.
During the hearing, Justice Aurangzeb suggested that the FIA prosecutor or deputy attorney general visit Azerbaijan, where state gifts are displayed in a museum alongside photos of the presidents who received them, mentioning that he had seen a photo of Benazir Bhutto there.
The judge questioned why Bushra Bibi had not declared the gifts if Imran Khan, a public office holder, was made an accused in the case. Malik responded by noting that the state requires gifts to be declared and remain its property until legally purchased.
Justice Aurangzeb remarked that the proper valuation of Toshakhana gifts can only occur through auction. Bushra Bibi was granted bail on surety bonds of Rs1 million, with a detailed verdict to follow.
Meanwhile, the special court hearing for the indictment of Imran and Bushra in the same Toshakhana case was postponed again. Judge Shahrukh Arjumand adjourned the case until October 26, with the hearing held at the Judicial Complex Islamabad due to security concerns.
