Bushra Bibi, the former first lady and wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, was released from Adiala Jail on Thursday. This followed a decision by the Islamabad High Court to grant her bail in the Toshakhana 2 case.
Her release was finalized after her guarantor, Malik Tariq Mehmood Noon, submitted bail bonds worth Rs1 million. The Islamabad Accountability Court, presided over by Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand, authorized the release order. Bushra Bibi’s lawyer, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, confirmed that she had left the jail and was headed to Bani Gala with her security team.
Speaking to the media, Barrister Gohar expressed confidence that Bushra Bibi would not face any further arrests. “There is no reason to arrest Bushra Bibi in any case,” he stated.
Bail Granted by High Court
On October 23, 2024, the Islamabad High Court, under Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb, granted bail to Bushra Bibi. The court required two surety bonds of Rs1 million each for her release.
During the hearing, Justice Aurangzeb noted the challenges in assessing the value of Toshakhana gifts, pointing out the need for auctions to determine their worth accurately. He also questioned why Bushra Bibi was implicated in the case, drawing parallels to the situation of Supreme Court Justice Qazi Faez Isa, whose spouse was similarly involved in a legal case.
Delayed Release Due to Procedural Issues
Although bail was granted on October 23, Bushra Bibi’s release from Adiala Jail was delayed due to procedural complications related to the submission of bail bonds. Incorrect documentation caused her release to be postponed multiple times, keeping her in custody until Wednesday afternoon.
Case Background
The Toshakhana 2 case revolves around allegations that Bushra Bibi and Imran Khan illegally retained and sold valuable gifts received during official foreign trips. These gifts, which allegedly included luxury watches, were reportedly sold without adhering to proper procedures.
On September 12, 2024, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) formed a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to investigate the matter. The case, originally under the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), was transferred to FIA after the Supreme Court’s ruling on NAB amendments. Since July 2024, the case has gained significant attention, particularly after both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were arrested shortly after receiving bail in a separate case related to their marriage during Iddat.
